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: A Common Ground: Arts Student Centre Opens its Doors
A Common Ground: Arts Student Centre Opens its Doors
The Arts Student Centre has officially opened its doors to the UBC community. The three-storey 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…
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Read more: Aligning enhanced safety and reducing risk for the university
Aligning enhanced safety and reducing risk for the university
In alignment with the VPFO and SRS strategic plan, Safety & Risk Services (SRS) is moving to the next step that builds on our strengths and opportunities to continue to align around enhanced safety and reduced risk for faculty, staff,…
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Read more: 75,868 text notifications sent via UBC Alert as part of the annual ShakeOut drill
75,868 text notifications sent via UBC Alert as part of the annual ShakeOut drill
As part of the annual ShakeOut drill, a UBC Alert test notification by text and voice message was sent on October 21, 2021, at 10:21 am, to remind students, faculty, and staff to drop, cover, and hold on when an earthquake…
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Read more: Auditor General’s report gives context on their audit of UBC’s financial statements
Auditor General’s report gives context on their audit of UBC’s financial statements
In their 2021 report, the Auditor General shares their general findings from over 160 government entities as well as specific highlights from UBC and our response.
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Read more: Cassandra Torres and Evan Lloyd join Safety & Risk Services as Management & Continuity Planning Advisors
Cassandra Torres and Evan Lloyd join Safety & Risk Services as Management & Continuity Planning Advisors
Cassandra Torres (she, her, hers) and Evan Lloyd join the Emergency Management team in Safety & Risk Services as Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Advisors. Their education and backgrounds in emergency response will be great assets to the team.
People of the VPFO
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Read more: Pera Hardy joins the Facilities Planning team in Infrastructure Development as Senior Facilities Planner
Pera Hardy joins the Facilities Planning team in Infrastructure Development as Senior Facilities Planner
Pera is a registered architect (AIBC) and LEED Green Associate, Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). Her programming, planning, design and construction experience in K-12 schools and post-secondary projects will be very beneficial to facilities planning work on campus.
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Read more: Frank Laezza — Get to Know UBC’s new Vice-President Finance & Operations
Frank Laezza — Get to Know UBC’s new Vice-President Finance & Operations
It would be difficult for anyone to argue that Frank Laezza isn’t willing to go the distance for UBC. Fresh off a flight from Perth, Australia, he quite literally came from the opposite side of the planet to take up…
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Read more: Oliver Choo joins as Finance Director, Vice President Research and Innovation
Oliver Choo joins as Finance Director, Vice President Research and Innovation
In his new role, Oliver will be responsible for providing strategic financial leadership within the 16 units of the VPRI portfolio. In addition to managing the portfolio budget of $58M, Oliver will support key initiatives that have significant impact on…
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Read more: Dimitri Kavouras steps into new role as Subhead Controls Electrician in Building Operations
Dimitri Kavouras steps into new role as Subhead Controls Electrician in Building Operations
Passionate about contributing to the UBC community, Dimitri is a current shop steward, previous union delegate, and participant in two apprenticeship committees. He was awarded the Kim Nulty award in 2020 for his contributions and excellence in categories like employee…
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Read more: Building a more innovative campus — one project at a time
Building a more innovative campus — one project at a time
A powerful duo in the VPFO, Aletha Utimati, a PMP-certified Project Manager and Sandy Sull, a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) bring completely different expertise but share a vision for an innovative campus, a passion for collaboration, and the ability to…