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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Watermain work on 16th Avenue in the University Endowment Lands (UEL)
UBC Facilities will support this work from September 15-16, 2022 by switching over our campus water feed. During this switchover, there will be minimal disruption to our water supply.
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Keeping General Teaching Space doors unlocked
The Learning Spaces team in Infrastructure Development has been busy preparing classroom spaces for the upcoming Winter Session 2022/23 Term 1, and working with Campus Security to ensure General Teaching Spaces remain unlocked to allow faculty and staff the flexibility…
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Are you prepared for an emergency?
Help increase the campus community’s resilience, emergency awareness and preparedness by joining us on September 6-8. Find our Emergency Preparedness booth on Imagine UBC at Main Mall on September 6, and Ride the Quake Cottage, an earthquake simulator at University…
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Increasing Collaboration with the Catchbox Throwable Microphone System
The Learning Spaces team recently received a video from the Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE) program where students incorporated the Catchbox, a wireless, throwable microphone that supports collaborative and interactive sessions into their presentations this summer. Take a look at the Catchbox in…
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Begin the Academic Year on Track by Ensuring Your Supplier Is Set-up Properly
This is a reminder that Purchase Orders or Outstanding Invoices cannot be issued or paid without a supplier record in Workday. To avoid procurement and payment delays, please submit your supplier setup and change requests in Workday as soon as possible.
People of the VPFO
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Strengthening Municipal Services’ Asset and Fleet Management Services within Facilities
In order to enhance their technical expertise in civil engineering, asset stewardship and fleet management, UBC Facilities’ Municipal Services is pleased to welcome two new team members, Fiona Keating, Senior Manager, and Rishi Purohit, Fleet and Asset Manager.
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Making accountability personal
Thomas Straley — with 20 years of experience in Accounts Payable — is one of the lucky people who find their dream job early and build an endlessly rewarding career.
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Joanna Huang steps into Finance Manager role supporting the VPHR and VPFO Admin portfolios
Since stepping into the Acting role in June 2022, Joanna has played an instrumental in supporting her client areas through a busy quarter-end and the start of the FY23 budget process.
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Frank Laezza appointed Vice-President, Finance and Operations
Mr. Laezza will join us from Murdoch University, Australia, where he is Chief Financial Officer with responsibility for leading the university’s business and finance functions, as well as for the management of its financial and capital resources. Mr. Laezza will…
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Gardenia Honório transitions into new role as Business Operations Manager within Facilities’ Customer Services and Informatics
Gardenia will lead the Facilities Service Centre and Clerical teams and the Staff Records team, support training and other important Facilities initiatives including onboarding, safety training scheduling, IT device management, etc.