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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Continuing to measure your Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt project
Now that you have submitted your Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt report for your certification, you are encouraged to monitor the results that you have set in your goals on a quarterly basis. Operational Excellence has created a SharePoint site…
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2022/2023 Year End Timelines and Procedures now available
The 2022/23 Year End timelines and procedures are now available. Join us in the call-in session on March 7 to review the fiscal year-end timelines and procedures. This year’s campus cut-off for year-end processing is Wednesday, April 5.
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UBC Annual Screening Mammography Clinic on March 22, 2023
The Screening Mammography Program (SMP) Mobile Services will once again be visiting the UBC Point Grey Campus. BC women ages 40 and up with a primary care provider can book a screening mammogram directly through the program without a doctor’s…
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Seminar: Everything you need to know about occupational sensitization
Whether you work in a lab, animal facility, workshop, museum — or even an office, you may come into contact with sensitizers at your workplace. UBC Safety & Risk Services has invited industry and academia experts to educate the community…
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Share your feedback on UBC’s Statements on Responsible Investing
The UBC community is invited to comment on the Statements on Responsible Investing in preparation for the submission to the UBC Board of Governors in the Spring of 2023. The feedback period will be open until February 17, 2023.
People of the VPFO
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Ernesto Castano joins UBC’s Financial Operations group as the Associate Director, Procurement
Ernesto will play a vital role in leading the Procurement function to support our community in meeting their needs through the procurement and competitive bidding processes, leveraging Workday and Planon.
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Joan Mar and Entela Ifti step into new positions in the Financial Planning & Analysis team
In their new roles, Joan and Entela will work with the Assistant Comptroller to lead the FP&A team and support our partners across the university. Joan Mar will be joining as Director, Financial Planning & Analysis on June 16, and…
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Susan Johnson steps into her new role as Senior Manager, Privacy and Information Security Risk
In her new role, Susan will continue to oversee the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) process, including major projects such as the Integrated Security Program Student (IRPS) as well as the portfolio of operational PIAs and advisory services.
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Norman Kotze joins the Emergency Management team as Associate, Emergency & Continuity Planning
In his new role, Norman will help lead continuity planning for the Vancouver Point Grey campus. Working with academic units, he will assist in the roll-out of our Continuity Planning Framework and the creation of Continuity Plans for faculties using a…
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Christine Lin joins UBC as Tax Analyst
We are pleased to welcome Christine Lin as Tax Analyst, reporting to Holly Shepherd, Tax Manager effective May 16, 2022. Christine is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with extensive experience in corporate and indirect tax within the oil and gas…