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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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…
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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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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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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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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.
People of the VPFO
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Rachael Donovan joins Facilities as Reuse Initiative Coordinator
Rachel has a background in sustainability, energy management, waste reduction, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting. She will be taking on tasks related to managing and reporting on the Furniture Reuse Initiative and the Green Labs Program, as well…
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Sean Zheng stepping into new role as Sub-Head in Stores, Municipal Services within UBC Facilities
Sean joined UBC in 2019 as a Project Clerk in Infrastructure Development. Since then, he has developed strong relationships and provided key technical capabilities to his team during his time as a Stores Operator, as well as completed his Lean…
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Pauline Li stepping into a new role in UBC Okanagan’s Infrastructure Development as Building Records Manager
In her new role, Pauline will be responsible for records management, facility planning, as well as management of document and drawing repositories to ensure accurate records of all are maintained and consistently represented across multiple systems and depositories.
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In memory of Dirceu Campos
It is with a profound sense of sadness that we learned of the unexpected passing of our friend and colleague Dirceu Campos. Dirceu was a valued team member of the UBC Payroll Operations Team. He started with UBC in 2018…
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Sean Lynch promoted to Director, Custodial Services within Facilities
Sean Lynch has been promoted to become UBC Facilities new Director, Custodial Services effective August 2, 2022.