Welcome to the VP Finance & Operations portfolio


The nine divisions of the VPFO are responsible for the stewardship of UBC’s physical and financial assets, as well as safety and risk management for our university community.

We oversee a $3.98 billion budget, a $3.38 billion endowment, and all facilities on both campuses, as well as managing the university’s relationships with UBC Investment Management and UBC Properties Trust. In all the portfolio’s responsibilities, we are committed to the values of innovation, unity and accountability.

VPFO Strategic Plan 2024–2027

Having a strategic plan gives us a clear path, keeping everyone on the same page. Learn more about where we’re going next and how we plan to get there.

News from the VPFO

  • Safety on the Go. Download the UBC Safe Vancouver App

    Download the UBC Safe Vancouver app and make sure you turn on your push notifications to receive timely updates and urgent notifications. The UBC Safe App is free and recommended for UBC students, faculty, staff and campus visitors.

    Read more: Safety on the Go. Download the UBC Safe Vancouver App
  • Are you prepared for an earthquake?

    On October 19, 2023, practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:19 am during the annual Great BC ShakeOut earthquake drill. Learn more about the drill and earthquake safety at ready.ubc.ca.

    Read more: Are you prepared for an earthquake?
  • Steven Wong joins Comptroller’s Capital Financial Management & Reporting as Finance Manager in Project Accounting

    Steven will be working closely with Capital Planning & Development and Project Services, in Facilities, responsible for overseeing the financial aspects of Facilities projects. This includes project costing, funding, planning, and reporting to support the successful delivery of capital projects…

    Read more: Steven Wong joins Comptroller’s Capital Financial Management & Reporting as Finance Manager in Project Accounting
  • Connection and Collaboration in the VPFO

    After a series of careful and thoughtful discussions with the Senior Leadership Team, we’ve decided to make a change to increase the time we spend together in person. Our work model for those with a hybrid work arrangement will shift…

    Read more: Connection and Collaboration in the VPFO
  • Fostering a culture of purpose-driven leadership

    Welcome to the hustle and bustle of a full campus! I have to say, that’s the first time I’ve seen over 5,000 people line up for a hamburger… What a welcome back to the Vancouver campus! The new school year…

    Read more: Fostering a culture of purpose-driven leadership

People of the VPFO

  • Nicholas Potovsky joins Infrastructure Development as the Accessible Buildings Planner

    Co-created with the UBC Centre for Accessibility, this newly created role will help UBC develop accessibility design guidelines for new and existing campus buildings. Nicholas is a registered architect with over 10 years of experience in the design of new…

    Read more: Nicholas Potovsky joins Infrastructure Development as the Accessible Buildings Planner
  • David Sequeira joins Custodial Services as Assistant Supervisor

    In his new role, David will oversee the dayshift Custodial Services team and will work out of the Life Building. David comes to us from the Office of the Dean at the Faculty of Education with responsibility for Faculty-wide health…

    Read more: David Sequeira joins Custodial Services as Assistant Supervisor
  • Fabiola Ruiz-Aguilar joins Safety & Risk Services as Safety Advisor, Scientific Diving

    In her new role as Dive Safety Officer, Fabiola is responsible for developing, strengthening and growing the Scientific Diving program in compliance with WorkSafe BC, Canadian Association for Underwater Science (CAUS) and CSA Ocean Sciences — after all the earth…

    Read more: Fabiola Ruiz-Aguilar joins Safety & Risk Services as Safety Advisor, Scientific Diving
  • VPFO HR team update

    Daisy Chan will be going on Maternity leave starting March 2023. During her leave, Kasia Burza will be temporarily promoted to an HR Advisor until September 2024, supporting AVPFO and Treasury. Alysa Garza will be joining as an HR Coordinator…

    Read more: VPFO HR team update
  • Silvia Magnano joins Treasury as Manager, Treasury Contracts & Real Estate

    Silvia comes to us directly from the UBC University-Industry Liaison Office (UILO) where she was a Contracts Officer. Silvia brings both business and legal background to her new role. She was trained and certified as a lawyer in Argentina, where…

    Read more: Silvia Magnano joins Treasury as Manager, Treasury Contracts & Real Estate