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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UBC Facilities working with UBC student team to build a net zero carbon student space on campus
UBC Facilities is working with the UBC student team to start construction of a new student space on campus that redefines sustainable design, and aims to build a net-zero student space on campus.
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UBC’s 5-Year Capital Plan approved by UBC Board of Governors
UBC’s 5-Year Capital Plan was recently endorsed in the Board Committee meeting, in advance of submission to the province in July. A number of projects also received approval in the Board Committee meeting on June 29, 2022.
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Bold new plans unveiled for UBCO Downtown
Recently published photos and a video show how UBCO Downtown will weave excellence in research and teaching into the cultural, economic and social fabric of Kelowna’s downtown core.
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Announcing the search for a new Vice-President, Finance & Operations
President Santa Ono has launched a search for a new Vice-President, Finance & Operations, and is seeking your views on the qualities you’d like to see in this appointment
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Increase in CRA Prescribed Interest Rate effective July 1, 2022
The CRA Prescribed Interest Rate will increase to 2% effective July 1, 2022. This is the interest rate used to calculate taxable benefits for employees from interest-free and low-interest loans, which will have an effect on future loans made under…
People of the VPFO
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Meynardo Villarica steps into new role as Architectural Head in Building Operations
Meynardo joined Building Operations in September 2012 as a carpenter in the Yellow Zone Carpenter and later became the Sub-head for the Carpenter Shop. Bringing a wealth of trade and customer service experience, Meynardo will help to build out processes…
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Staff change as VPFO Administration helps support the President’s Office
Sandy Zarka will be seconded as the new Manager of Administration and Executive Assistant to the Interim President for the Presidential transition period. While Sandy is with the President’s Office, Holly Rail will continue in her current role as executive…
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Nicholas Potovsky joins Infrastructure Development as the Accessible Buildings Planner
Co-created with the UBC Centre for Accessibility, this newly created role will help UBC develop accessibility design guidelines for new and existing campus buildings. Nicholas is a registered architect with over 10 years of experience in the design of new…
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David Sequeira joins Custodial Services as Assistant Supervisor
In his new role, David will oversee the dayshift Custodial Services team and will work out of the Life Building. David comes to us from the Office of the Dean at the Faculty of Education with responsibility for Faculty-wide health…
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Fabiola Ruiz-Aguilar joins Safety & Risk Services as Safety Advisor, Scientific Diving
In her new role as Dive Safety Officer, Fabiola is responsible for developing, strengthening and growing the Scientific Diving program in compliance with WorkSafe BC, Canadian Association for Underwater Science (CAUS) and CSA Ocean Sciences — after all the earth…