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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Read more: Crystal Liu joins UBC Facilities as a Buyer for Project Services
Crystal Liu joins UBC Facilities as a Buyer for Project Services
Crystal Liu is joining the sourcing team as a Buyer for Project Services on January 8. Before UBC, she was a Procurement Advisor and Supply Chain Planner at Suncor for 13 years.
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Read more: John Ede joins UBC Facilities’ Municipal Services as Contract Manager
John Ede joins UBC Facilities’ Municipal Services as Contract Manager
John will be joining UBC Facilities on January 13. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering, a Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and is a Certified Supply Chain Professional.
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Read more: Brad Klaiber joins the Office of the Comptroller as Senior Director, Accounting and Compliance
Brad Klaiber joins the Office of the Comptroller as Senior Director, Accounting and Compliance
We are pleased to welcome Brad Klaiber as the new Senior Director, Accounting and Compliance, joining the Office of the Comptroller on January 6, 2025. Reporting to the Comptroller, Brad will be entrusted with providing leadership to the Finance Reporting…
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Read more: Sabrina Lin joins VPFO as Executive Assistant to the VPFO HR Director and Treasurer
Sabrina Lin joins VPFO as Executive Assistant to the VPFO HR Director and Treasurer
Sabrina Lin joins the VPFO Admin team as an Executive Assistant to the VPFO HR Director and Treasurer. Sabrina brings a wealth of experience in project management, event coordination and client service.
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Read more: Saad Ibrahim joins UBC Facilities’ Energy & Water Services as Civil Engineer
Saad Ibrahim joins UBC Facilities’ Energy & Water Services as Civil Engineer
As of December 2, Saad Ibrahim has joined Energy & Water Services. He joins us from the City of Brantford, Ontario, where he worked as a Design Engineer and Project Manager overseeing capital projects in roads, water, and wastewater. Learn…