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

  • Heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) line near the Bioenergy Facility back in commission

    Last week, Energy & Water Services (EWS) steamfitters completed another repair on the District Energy System (DES) network off the Bioenergy Research Facilities (Bioenergy Facility). This repair was needed as this particular heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) line has been…

    Read more: Heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) line near the Bioenergy Facility back in commission
  • Supply chain impacted due to the state of emergency in BC

    UBC is working with key internal and external parties to ensure that critical supplies continue to be available to support the campus community. We appreciate your patience as we work through this period of disruption.

    Read more: Supply chain impacted due to the state of emergency in BC
  • Avoid slips, trips, and falls this winter with some simple tips

    Winter is almost here, and with it comes cold weather and a greater risk of slips, trips or falls. Practice safe winter walking to help you stay on your feet this winter, available on the Safety & Risk Services website.

    Read more: Avoid slips, trips, and falls this winter with some simple tips
  • Major milestone in the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility expansion project

    The Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF) is burning biomass once again! The Energy & Water Services Thermal Operations Team re-lit the biomass gasification system on November 10, 2021, and the BRDF is now producing renewable thermal energy for the Academic…

    Read more: Major milestone in the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility expansion project
  • 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…

    Read more: A Common Ground: Arts Student Centre Opens its Doors

People of the VPFO

  • Nicholas Potovsky joins Infrastructure Development as the Accessible Buildings Planner

    Co-created with the UBC Centre for Accessibility, this newly created role will help UBC develop accessibility design guidelines for new and existing campus buildings. Nicholas is a registered architect with over 10 years of experience in the design of new…

    Read more: Nicholas Potovsky joins Infrastructure Development as the Accessible Buildings Planner
  • David Sequeira joins Custodial Services as Assistant Supervisor

    In his new role, David will oversee the dayshift Custodial Services team and will work out of the Life Building. David comes to us from the Office of the Dean at the Faculty of Education with responsibility for Faculty-wide health…

    Read more: David Sequeira joins Custodial Services as Assistant Supervisor
  • Fabiola Ruiz-Aguilar joins Safety & Risk Services as Safety Advisor, Scientific Diving

    In her new role as Dive Safety Officer, Fabiola is responsible for developing, strengthening and growing the Scientific Diving program in compliance with WorkSafe BC, Canadian Association for Underwater Science (CAUS) and CSA Ocean Sciences — after all the earth…

    Read more: Fabiola Ruiz-Aguilar joins Safety & Risk Services as Safety Advisor, Scientific Diving
  • 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