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: Turn electronics off! Help save energy as part of UBC’s Seasonal Shutdown
Turn electronics off! Help save energy as part of UBC’s Seasonal Shutdown
This holiday season help save energy by unplugging electronics and turning out the lights. This supports energy savings as part of UBC’s Seasonal Shutdown, which lowers the temperature in buildings during the winter break.
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Read more: Re-register for access to the Centre for Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing in 2026
Re-register for access to the Centre for Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing in 2026
We are refreshing access for the Centre to ensure our records are current. All existing access will be removed on January 12, and only staff who have re-registered will retain entry to the Centre and group classes.
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Read more: Working and walking in the cold – Avoid slips, trips, and falls
Working and walking in the cold – Avoid slips, trips, and falls
With colder temperatures and increased winter conditions, take precautions not to slip, trip, and fall. Outdoor workers should also be alert of the risk for cold stress.
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Read more: New leadership roles in the VPFO
New leadership roles in the VPFO
As part of our continued efforts to strengthen strategic alignment and operational excellence across the VPFO, we will be initiating two key recruitment processes in the coming weeks. First, we are establishing a new position: Managing Director, Strategy Planning and…
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Read more: Run, Hide, Fight: Protect yourself during an active threat
Run, Hide, Fight: Protect yourself during an active threat
Understanding what to do in the high-pressure reality of an active threat is important. If faced with an active threat, whether at UBC or elsewhere, be prepared to respond: Run, Hide, Fight.
People of the VPFO
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Read more: Ernesto Castano joins UBC’s Financial Operations group as the Associate Director, Procurement
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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Read more: Joan Mar and Entela Ifti step into new positions in the Financial Planning & Analysis team
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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Read more: Susan Johnson steps into her new role as Senior Manager, Privacy and Information Security Risk
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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Read more: Norman Kotze joins the Emergency Management team as Associate, Emergency & Continuity Planning
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…
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Read more: Christine Lin joins UBC as Tax Analyst
Christine Lin joins UBC as Tax Analyst
We are pleased to welcome Christine Lin as Tax Analyst, reporting to Holly Shepherd, Tax Manager effective May 16, 2022. Christine is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with extensive experience in corporate and indirect tax within the oil and gas…