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
-
Read more: Continuing as one VPFO under Karamjeet Heer and John Metras’ leadership
Continuing as one VPFO under Karamjeet Heer and John Metras’ leadership
Starting June 1, Karamjeet Heer will begin serving as the Interim Vice-President, Finance, and John Metras will become the Interim Vice-President, Operations following the departure of Peter Smailes, former Vice-President, Finance and Operations.
-
Read more: May 26 VPFO Town Hall Presentation and Slides
May 26 VPFO Town Hall Presentation and Slides
In this VPFO town hall, we reviewed the leadership transition plan, looked back on our accomplishments, and learned about our strategic plan together as one portfolio. The town hall recording and presentation slides are now available.
-
Read more: Preparing for transition in the VPFO
Preparing for transition in the VPFO
The hand off starts now. Starting on June 1, Karamjeet Heer will be serving as the Interim Vice-President, Finance, and John Metras will be the Interim Vice-President, Operations.
-
Read more: tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ is now occupied
tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ is now occupied
Located adjacent to and infilling around the Walter Gage Residence, the student residence project tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ will provide a total of 940 housing beds for upper-year students.
-
Read more: The C.D. Howe Institute ranks UBC first in both climate change & endowment activities and their governance
The C.D. Howe Institute ranks UBC first in both climate change & endowment activities and their governance
Independent non-profit research institute The C.D. Howe Institute ranked UBC first in Climate Change and Endowment Activities with an overall score of 4.2. UBC also placed first in Climate-change Governance practices, scoring 4.9 out of 5.0.
People of the VPFO
-
Read more: VPFO HR team update
VPFO HR team update
Daisy Chan will be going on Maternity leave starting March 2023. During her leave, Kasia Burza will be temporarily promoted to an HR Advisor until September 2024, supporting AVPFO and Treasury. Alysa Garza will be joining as an HR Coordinator…
-
Read more: Silvia Magnano joins Treasury as Manager, Treasury Contracts & Real Estate
Silvia Magnano joins Treasury as Manager, Treasury Contracts & Real Estate
Silvia comes to us directly from the UBC University-Industry Liaison Office (UILO) where she was a Contracts Officer. Silvia brings both business and legal background to her new role. She was trained and certified as a lawyer in Argentina, where…
-
Read more: Hailey Maxwell steps into new role as Manager, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning in Safety & Risk Services
Hailey Maxwell steps into new role as Manager, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning in Safety & Risk Services
In her new role as Manager of Emergency & Continuity Planning, Hailey looks forward to continuing to support the UBC community in developing personal and organizational resilience through planning, training and engagement initiatives.
-
Read more: Balancing safety and innovation
Balancing safety and innovation
Janet Hankins leads a team of specialists in biosafety, radiation, and chemical safety and occupational hygiene responsible for the handling of hazardous substances across the university. Learn how Janet resonates with the VPFO’s strategic directions and values, and how her…
-
Read more: Bella Li joins the VPFO/VPHR Finance team within Comptroller as Financial Analyst
Bella Li joins the VPFO/VPHR Finance team within Comptroller as Financial Analyst
In her new role, Bella will be responsible for providing financial analysis to the overall VPFO/VPHR Finance team, with a primary focus on Infrastructure Development, Safety & Risk Services, and Financial Operations.