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

  • VPFO Pink Shirt Day 2022

    On Feb 23rd 2022, Peter Smailes addressed the VPFO as part of our annual Pink Shirt Day event. Click though for a transcript of his speech to the team.

    Read more: VPFO Pink Shirt Day 2022
  • Inside the new UBC Arts Student Centre

    In November 2021, UBC Arts Student Centre officially opened its doors. The three-storey, cylindrical building located on East Mall and Walter Gage Road will be a common meeting ground for Arts students to interact across disciplines, with spaces to relax…

    Read more: Inside the new UBC Arts Student Centre
  • T4/T4A Tax Slips and T2200s Forms Will Soon Be Available for Faculty and Staff

    T4/T4A tax slips and T2200S forms will be made available for faculty and staff through the Workday system next week. In the meantime, UBC Finance has created some resources to answer any questions the community may have about their tax…

    Read more: T4/T4A Tax Slips and T2200s Forms Will Soon Be Available for Faculty and Staff
  • Heat recovery chiller and coils successfully commissioned

    The new heat recovery chiller in Chemistry D Block would be capable of providing its forecasted 5000GJ in annual thermal energy savings, saving the university almost $50,000 per year. Chemistry E Block is on track for their predicted energy savings…

    Read more: Heat recovery chiller and coils successfully commissioned
  • New Biomass Boiler going through commissioning at the BRDF 

    The new UBC biomass boiler is going through its commissioning tests at the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF). As the new boiler’s combustion is fine-tuned, you may notice some grey smoke, accompanied by a campfire scent, from the BRDF on occasion. 

    Read more: New Biomass Boiler going through commissioning at the BRDF 

People of the VPFO

  • 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: VPFO HR team update
  • 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: Silvia Magnano joins Treasury as Manager, Treasury Contracts & Real Estate
  • 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: Hailey Maxwell steps into new role as Manager, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning in Safety & Risk Services
  • 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: Balancing safety and innovation
  • 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.

    Read more: Bella Li joins the VPFO/VPHR Finance team within Comptroller as Financial Analyst