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: 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.
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Read more: BC Emergency Alert system testing on May 6
BC Emergency Alert system testing on May 6
The provincial alert system, BC Emergency Alert will be tested on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 1:55 pm.
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Read more: Realigning key functions and supporting priorities within VPFO
Realigning key functions and supporting priorities within VPFO
To strengthen alignment across the VPFO, HR and Communications will now report to Nicole Liddell. A new team will also be forming within Transformation & Strategy to support ongoing Finance Transformation and Budget Reimagination.
People of the VPFO
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Read more: Dawn Irmscher joins UBC as Director of Payroll
Dawn Irmscher joins UBC as Director of Payroll
Dawn brings a wealth of experience in finance, operations, technical, and systems implementation to the university, and most recently served as the Director of Finance for the Sooke School District in Victoria, BC.
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Read more: Lindsay Forsyth & Jeff Bosworth promoted in Municipal Services within Building Operations
Lindsay Forsyth & Jeff Bosworth promoted in Municipal Services within Building Operations
Lindsay Forsyth is promoted to Sub-Head Landscape Technologist, and Jeff Bosworth is promoted as Landscape Technologist Apprentice in Municipal Services within Building Operations.
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Read more: New team members join the VPFO Operational Excellence team
New team members join the VPFO Operational Excellence team
As part of an effort to improve efficiencies and cost-savings while achieving service excellence within the VPFO, some team members of the Business Services team in Customer Services & Informatics (CSI) in Facilities will be transitioning to the newly formed…
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Read more: Graham Ewald promoted as Gas Service Technician within Building Operations
Graham Ewald promoted as Gas Service Technician within Building Operations
Graham Ewald is the successful candidate for the position of Gas Service Technician. Graham has been a Steamfitter within the Building Operations Mechanical Maintenance team for over three years and will transition to the Mechanical Operations team on April 1,…
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Read more: Stephanie McLeish joins Project Services, Infrastructure Development as Associate Project Manager
Stephanie McLeish joins Project Services, Infrastructure Development as Associate Project Manager
Stephanie McLeish is the successful candidate for the Associate Project Manager position in Project Services within Infrastructure Development. Stephanie is joining us from the UBC Faculty of Medicine where she held a role as a program assistant.