Welcome to the VP Finance & Operations portfolio
We are responsible for the stewardship of UBC’s physical and financial assets, as well as safety, risk management, and assurance across our university community.
The Vice-President Finance & Operations (VPFO) portfolio provides strategic stewardship of UBC’s physical and financial assets, and leads safety, risk management, and assurance across the university. Guided by the values of innovation, unity, and accountability in the VPFO Strategic Plan and in alignment with the UBC Strategic Plan, the portfolio oversees a budget of over $4 billion, and all facilities across UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. The portfolio also manages key relationships with UBC Investment Management and UBC Properties Trust and is responsible for strategic development and management of UBC’s real estate assets to support the long-term benefit of the university community.
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: Planning ahead for a smooth research equipment installation
Planning ahead for a smooth research equipment installation
Acquiring new research equipment is an exciting milestone, whether you’re expanding lab capabilities or launching a new project. Before purchasing, relocating, or accepting new equipment, we encourage you to connect early with your UBC Facilities Manager.
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Read more: New report available: Fighting against forced labour and child labour in supply chains
New report available: Fighting against forced labour and child labour in supply chains
UBC’s report under the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act for 2025/2026 is now available.
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Read more: UBC recognized at the Canadian Society for Landscape Architects 2026 Awards of Excellence
UBC recognized at the Canadian Society for Landscape Architects 2026 Awards of Excellence
UBC was recently recognized in the Canadian Society for Landscape Architects’ 2026 Awards of Excellence for two landscape projects: Wheaton Walk Through Time and Museum of Anthropology
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Read more: Online Safety Training is unavailable due to Canvas outage
Online Safety Training is unavailable due to Canvas outage
Online Safety Training is currently unavailable as it is hosted on Canvas, which is offline worldwide. Safety & Risk Services is looking into alternative delivery methods to deploy if the outage continues past next week.
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Read more: Metro Vancouver’s Stage 2 watering restrictions effective May 1
Metro Vancouver’s Stage 2 watering restrictions effective May 1
Stage 2 of Metro Vancouver’s Watering Regulations comes into effect on May 1, 2026. Under these restrictions, some operational impacts will be noticed across the region.
People of the VPFO
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Read more: Changes in the VPFO HR team
Changes in the VPFO HR team
We are pleased to announce a number of positive changes on the VPFO Human Resources team. We have prepared a service map to help you navigate these changes and understand the roles and assigned departments of our team members.
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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…