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
-
New Asbestos Awareness course available for UBC community
Developed by Safety & Risk Services, the newly launched Asbestos Awareness course is designed to enhance faculty, staff and student workers’ knowledge about asbestos as facilities on the Point Grey Campus built before 1990 may contain asbestos.
-
Enhancing operations and safety: BRDF control room & office renovation
As part of an effort to enhance operations and safety, the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF) control room and office have recently been renovated. The purpose of this renovation was to modernize the BRDF control room and personnel quarters.
-
Keep track with VPFO Project Management Office’s projects through the Project Portfolio Management Dashboard
The VPFO Project Management team uses a project portfolio management (PPM) tool to help with the intake, prioritization, selection and management of continuous improvement projects at UBC. Click through to see the dashboard.
-
Digital Payments Program: Information security training for new merchants
All merchants, including UBC merchants, who process credit card payments are required to be compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS). The DPP PCI-DSS Training course is required as part of DPP’s new merchant onboarding process.
-
Forecasting for a solid future
Raffaela works with her team to ensure a sound financial position for UBC for generations to come. Read more about what it’s like working in a team as diverse as Treasury, what respect means to her professionally, and how she…
People of the VPFO
-
Dawn Irmscher joins UBC as Director of Payroll
Dawn brings a wealth of experience in finance, operations, technical, and systems implementation to the university, and most recently served as the Director of Finance for the Sooke School District in Victoria, BC.
-
Lindsay Forsyth & Jeff Bosworth promoted in Municipal Services within Building Operations
Lindsay Forsyth is promoted to Sub-Head Landscape Technologist, and Jeff Bosworth is promoted as Landscape Technologist Apprentice in Municipal Services within Building Operations.
-
New team members join the VPFO Operational Excellence team
As part of an effort to improve efficiencies and cost-savings while achieving service excellence within the VPFO, some team members of the Business Services team in Customer Services & Informatics (CSI) in Facilities will be transitioning to the newly formed…
-
Graham Ewald promoted as Gas Service Technician within Building Operations
Graham Ewald is the successful candidate for the position of Gas Service Technician. Graham has been a Steamfitter within the Building Operations Mechanical Maintenance team for over three years and will transition to the Mechanical Operations team on April 1,…
-
Stephanie McLeish joins Project Services, Infrastructure Development as Associate Project Manager
Stephanie McLeish is the successful candidate for the Associate Project Manager position in Project Services within Infrastructure Development. Stephanie is joining us from the UBC Faculty of Medicine where she held a role as a program assistant.