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
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Attend The Centre Health Fair: Heart Health this June
Brought to you by The Centre for Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing in partnership with the UBC Pharmacists Clinic, The Centre Health Fair: Heart Health will provide you with information, awareness, self-assessment, and personalized consultation on your heart health.
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Thank you for joining the “We are the VPFO” team event
On May 31, team members from across the VPFO gathered for an in-person event to hear from our new Vice-President Frank Laezza and to connect with each other across the portfolio’s departments, groups, and services. Click through for an event…
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Hello from my first 80 days
Each month I’d like to share a message with the portfolio, and today I want to start off by saying thank you to everyone who joined us last Wednesday at our “We are the VPFO” team event on the Vancouver…
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Getting ready for UniForum: Support resources for participants available
UBC is getting ready to participate for the fifth time in the UniForum benchmarking program. If you’ve been contacted to act as a Primary Contact or Respondent, thank you for your support of this important initiative! If you are a…
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New art connects The Reconciliation Pole to Musqueam territory
UBC Facilities’ Infrastructure Development recently completed the project to install the large-scale bronze artwork co-created by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) master carver Kayám̓ Richard Campbell and Haida master carver and hereditary chief James Hart, 7idansuu (Edenshaw). The new artwork now anchors Hart’s…
People of the VPFO
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Darren Wong promoted to Project Manager, Project Services with Infrastructure Development
Darren Wong joined UBC in 1998 as a project designer, and has been with Project Services since 2011 as an Associate Project Manager. Over the years, Darren’s portfolio continues to grow, working on various renovations, public art, and accessibility-related projects.
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Aziz Kara joins the Comptroller team as a Portfolio Finance Director, DAE, External Relations and Governance
Aziz is a Certified Professional Accountant who brings 25 years of progressive experience in Healthcare.
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Sandy Liu joins the Comptoller team as Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis Operational Excellence
Sandy will be working closely with the Budgeting & Reporting team in support of continuous improvement within Financial Reporting and Financial Planning & Analysis.
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Stephen Li joins Facilites, Building Operations as Mechanical Engineer
Stephen is a Professional Mechanical Engineer and LEED Green Associate with over ten years’ experience in Metro Vancouver’s building consulting industry.
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Raffaela Mendel joins Treasury Team as a Senior Treasury Analyst
Raffaela will support the building and refinement of the long-term corporate financial model, along with providing analytical support for other strategic initiatives across campus.