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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Announcing Helen Yung as the new Comptroller for UBC
Helen joins us from Vancouver Coastal Health, where she has served as a valued senior finance leader for over 20 years, most recently as Executive Director, Controller and Financial Services.
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Learning beyond the classroom: A collaborative effort between UBC Facilities & the School of Population & Public Health
Last month, UBC Facilities’ Building Operations was invited by Dr. Karen Bartlett, a Professor in the School of Population & Public Health (SPPH) to present to her Master of Science graduate class in the Occupational & Environmental Hygiene graduate program.
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Increase in mileage rate as of March 31, 2023
UBC will be updating its mileage rate in alignment with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) prescribed rate: 68¢/km for the first 5,000 km driven and 62¢/km driven after that. The new rates will be available in Workday as of March…
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Increase in CRA Prescribed Interest Rate effective April 1, 2023
The CRA Prescribed Interest Rate will increase to 5% as of April 1, 2023. This rate will be in effect from April 1–June 30, 2023. This is the interest rate used to calculate taxable benefits for employees from interest-free and low-interest loans, which will…
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Educating young children on solid waste collection on campus
The Waste Management team in Municipal Services within UBC Facilities recently paid a visit to the Berwick Child Development Centre to educate young children about the vehicles and equipment used for solid waste collection on the UBC Vancouver campus.
People of the VPFO
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Aligning enhanced safety and reducing risk for the university
In alignment with the VPFO and SRS strategic plan, Safety & Risk Services (SRS) is moving to the next step that builds on our strengths and opportunities to continue to align around enhanced safety and reduced risk for faculty, staff,…
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Cassandra Torres and Evan Lloyd join Safety & Risk Services as Management & Continuity Planning Advisors
Cassandra Torres (she, her, hers) and Evan Lloyd join the Emergency Management team in Safety & Risk Services as Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Advisors. Their education and backgrounds in emergency response will be great assets to the team.
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Siu Tse will be Acting Managing Director, Energy & Water Services
Today is David Woodson’s last day at UBC as Managing Director, Energy & Water Services after 23½ years of outstanding service and many great memories. I am pleased to announce that Siu Tse will be Acting Managing Director, Energy & Water Services while we…
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Shilan Keshvadi joins Safety & Risk Services as Associate, Health & Safety Education and Audit
Prior to joining us, Shilan was a Research Safety Coordinator at Simon Fraser University, where she acted as the EHS (environment, health, and safety) resource person for the Local Joint Health & Safety Committee to provide updates on policies and practices and address…
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Sandy Sull joins as the Finance Manager, Project Accounting
Sandy is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over 16 years of accounting experience across various industries. She will partner with other VPFO team members to continuously improve business processes and enable effective financial management throughout the portfolio.