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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New UBC Vancouver student residences opens with gifted names from Musqueam
Five new UBC Vancouver student residence buildings, initially called UBC Pacific Residence, were formally opened at a special naming ceremony hosted by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band).
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Donna Caedo joins Customer Services & Informatics as EMMS Sustainment Business Analyst
As a Business Analyst, Donna will be working closely with the Facilities team on all items related to Planon, which includes responding to ServiceNow tickets, reviewing/addressing backlog items, ensuring various business activities are successfully completed in Planon, and much more.
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Updated Credit Card Request Forms in Workday
Financial Operations and the ISC have recently updated two Credit Card request forms in Workday: Credit Card Request | Limit Change and Credit Card Request | Application, to improve clarity and guidance as well as help reduce the number of…
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Upcoming road closures on UBC Vancouver campus
There is a number of road closures on the UBC Vancouver campus due to construction and events in the coming weeks. Please review the details and plan your routes accordingly.
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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.
People of the VPFO
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Girish Ananthanarayana joins Finance & Integrated Services as ISC Application Platform Support Senior Manager
As the Senior Manager in Application Platform Support, Girish directs teams focused on reporting, security, and quality assurance.
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Helga Pereira joins Finance & Integrated Services as ISC Service Desk Manager
Helga joins the Integrated Service Centre (ISC) Service Desk team and will work alongside co-managers, Divya Shetty and Jimmy Gau, as well as Senior Manager, Veekay Padhi.
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Morteza Asadi appointed as Custodial Manager – Evenings
Custodial Services is excited to welcome Morteza Asadi as Custodial Manager – Evenings to complete the leadership structure on this rotation, effective April 14.
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Welcoming Karen Zygun as the new VPFO Director of Human Resources
Karen Zygun will be joining UBC as the new Director of Human Resources for the VPFO. Karen will be a key leader in renewing the VPFO’s HR team and strategy, developing a strategy to build a stronger values-centered culture, and…
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Angela Huang joins the Office of the Comptroller as Senior Director of Financial Business Intelligence
We are pleased to announce that Angela Huang has joined the Office of the Comptroller as our new Senior Director of Financial Business Intelligence, effective March 3, 2025.