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
-
Creating inclusive spaces beyond the public realm
Jen Sheel takes pride in what her team does… and it shows. When you meet Jen, one of the first things you see is her dedication to making UBC a place that invites and builds connections. She fiercely believes that…
-
Facilities Service Centre extends operating hours as of November 1
With two recent additions to the Customer Services and Informatics team, the Service Centre will be extending its hours to 7:30 am – 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, as of November 1, 2022.
-
Thunderbird Boulevard closure for the Transportation Test Bed Project
The eastbound and westbound lanes between the Thunderbird Parkade access and Health Sciences Mall/East Mall will be closed until November 3 noon. The westbound lane of Thunderbird Boulevard will remain closed until December.
-
Working and planning together to ensure long-term reliability of electrical power supply
UBC Facilities and Safety & Risk Service recognizes the value of your work and the impact a disruption in electrical power supply can have on your research. By working and planning together, we can greatly reduce risk to infrastructure, equipment,…
-
UBC Investment Management releases 2022 Annual Report
The Board of Directors and Management of UBC Investment Management is pleased to release the company’s 2021-22 Annual Report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022. Read the report on the UBC Investment Management website.
People of the VPFO
-
Parveen Mann joins UBC as Director, Human Resources
We are pleased to welcome Parveen Mann to the VPFO as our new Director of Human Resources, reporting to Vice-President, Finance & Operations, Peter Smailes, effective June 21.
-
VPFO Finance Realignments Following Workday Go-Live
Many members of our VPFO team played key roles in launch of Workday at UBC, and following the success of go-live we are ready to continue modernizing our core business processes, improve how we are structured, and transform the way…
-
Leadership one-on-one with our Comptroller, Karamjeet Heer
As UBC’s Comptroller, Karamjeet is responsible for ensuring the university’s fiscal sustainability by providing financial intelligence and strategy. This week she has been featured in the UBC Today Leadership One-on-One interview series.
-
Yvonne Kwok promoted to Communications Manager, Facilities and Safety & Risk Services
Yvonne Kwok will be expanding her role as Communications Manager, Facilities & SRS, effective Friday, May 21, 2021.
-
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.