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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Masks required in UBC public indoor spaces until June 30
As there are now signs of further Omicron variants and increased case numbers, experts have indicated that BC is about to enter into a sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of these factors, UBC has made the decision…
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University Boulevard bus loop road detours
Due to three projects under construction simultaneously—School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) Building, Gateway Health Building, and a utility steam tunnel repair, the University bus loop will be closed starting April 19 to May 1, 2022. Please plan your route accordingly.
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Watermain repair on 16th Avenue in the University Endowment Lands (UEL)
The University Endowment Lands will be completing an emergency repair on an incoming watermain on 16th Avenue. UBC Facilities will support this work from April 20th – 22nd, 2022 by switching over our campus water feed, once the repair commences.
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Partial closure of Engineering Road until June 15
Engineering Road on UBC Vancouver campus will be partially closed from April 19 to June 15 due to repairs to the bridge connecting the Macleod Building and the Brimacombe Building.
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Thank you
As many of you now know by way of yesterday’s broadcast email from President Ono, I am leaving UBC at the end of May to take on the role of VP Administration at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. I want to share…
People of the VPFO
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Changes in the VPFO HR team
We are pleased to announce a number of positive changes on the VPFO Human Resources team. We have prepared a service map to help you navigate these changes and understand the roles and assigned departments of our team members.
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Ernesto Castano joins UBC’s Financial Operations group as the Associate Director, Procurement
Ernesto will play a vital role in leading the Procurement function to support our community in meeting their needs through the procurement and competitive bidding processes, leveraging Workday and Planon.
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Joan Mar and Entela Ifti step into new positions in the Financial Planning & Analysis team
In their new roles, Joan and Entela will work with the Assistant Comptroller to lead the FP&A team and support our partners across the university. Joan Mar will be joining as Director, Financial Planning & Analysis on June 16, and…
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Susan Johnson steps into her new role as Senior Manager, Privacy and Information Security Risk
In her new role, Susan will continue to oversee the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) process, including major projects such as the Integrated Security Program Student (IRPS) as well as the portfolio of operational PIAs and advisory services.
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Norman Kotze joins the Emergency Management team as Associate, Emergency & Continuity Planning
In his new role, Norman will help lead continuity planning for the Vancouver Point Grey campus. Working with academic units, he will assist in the roll-out of our Continuity Planning Framework and the creation of Continuity Plans for faculties using a…