/* Reset WordPress theme interference for this page */
body.page { background: #1A1A1C !important; }
.site-header, .site-footer, .wp-block-template-part { display: none !important; }
.entry-content, .wp-block-group, .is-layout-constrained { max-width: 100% !important; padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; }
.wp-site-blocks, .is-root-container { padding: 0 !important; }
:root {
–gold: #C9A84C;
–gold-light: #E2C47A;
–gold-dark: #9A7A32;
–charcoal: #1A1A1C;
–charcoal-2: #222225;
–charcoal-3: #2C2C30;
–charcoal-4: #3A3A3F;
–off-white: #F0EDE6;
–text-muted: #8A8A92;
–text-body: #B0B0BC;
}
*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }
body {
background: var(–charcoal);
color: var(–off-white);
font-family: ‘Barlow’, sans-serif;
font-weight: 300;
overflow-x: hidden;
}
/* Subtle grid texture */
body::before {
content: ”;
position: fixed; inset: 0;
background-image:
linear-gradient(rgba(201,168,76,0.03) 1px, transparent 1px),
linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(201,168,76,0.03) 1px, transparent 1px);
background-size: 48px 48px;
pointer-events: none;
z-index: 0;
}
/* ─── NAV ─── */
nav {
position: fixed; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; z-index: 100;
display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;
padding: 1.3rem 5rem;
background: rgba(26,26,28,0.9);
backdrop-filter: blur(14px);
border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.15);
}
.nav-logo {
font-family: ‘Cormorant Garamond’, serif;
font-size: 1.3rem;
font-weight: 600;
letter-spacing: 0.08em;
color: var(–off-white);
}
.nav-logo span { color: var(–gold); }
.nav-links {
display: flex; gap: 2.5rem;
list-style: none;
}
.nav-links a {
color: var(–text-muted);
text-decoration: none;
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.75rem;
letter-spacing: 0.22em;
text-transform: uppercase;
transition: color 0.3s;
}
.nav-links a:hover { color: var(–gold); }
/* ─── HERO ─── */
.hero {
position: relative; z-index: 1;
min-height: 100vh;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
justify-content: center;
padding: 0 5rem;
overflow: hidden;
}
/* Gold corner accent top-right */
.hero::before {
content: ”;
position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0;
width: 400px; height: 400px;
border-top: 2px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.25);
border-right: 2px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.25);
pointer-events: none;
}
/* Gold corner accent bottom-left */
.hero::after {
content: ”;
position: absolute; bottom: 0; left: 0;
width: 250px; height: 250px;
border-bottom: 2px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.15);
border-left: 2px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.15);
pointer-events: none;
}
.hero-eyebrow {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.72rem;
letter-spacing: 0.45em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–gold);
display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 1rem;
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.7s 0.1s ease forwards;
}
.hero-eyebrow::before {
content: ”; display: block;
width: 2.5rem; height: 1px;
background: var(–gold);
}
.hero-name {
font-family: ‘Cormorant Garamond’, serif;
font-size: clamp(5rem, 9vw, 9.5rem);
font-weight: 700;
line-height: 0.9;
letter-spacing: -0.02em;
color: var(–off-white);
opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.8s 0.2s ease forwards;
}
.hero-name em {
font-style: italic;
color: var(–gold);
}
.hero-rule {
width: 5rem; height: 1px;
background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(–gold), transparent);
margin: 2rem 0;
opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.7s 0.35s ease forwards;
}
.hero-title {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 1.15rem;
font-weight: 500;
letter-spacing: 0.15em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–text-body);
margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.7s 0.45s ease forwards;
}
.hero-location {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.8rem;
letter-spacing: 0.25em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–text-muted);
opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.7s 0.55s ease forwards;
}
.hero-location span { color: var(–gold); }
.hero-scroll {
position: absolute; bottom: 2.5rem; left: 5rem;
display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 1rem;
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.65rem;
letter-spacing: 0.35em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–text-muted);
opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.7s 0.9s ease forwards;
}
.hero-scroll::after {
content: ”;
display: block; width: 1px; height: 2.5rem;
background: linear-gradient(to bottom, var(–gold), transparent);
animation: scrollPulse 2s ease infinite;
}
@keyframes scrollPulse {
0%, 100% { opacity: 0.3; }
50% { opacity: 1; }
}
@keyframes fadeUp {
from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(1.5rem); }
to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}
/* ─── SHARED LAYOUT ─── */
.section {
position: relative; z-index: 1;
padding: 7rem 5rem;
}
.section-inner {
max-width: 1100px;
margin: 0 auto;
}
.section-label {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.68rem;
letter-spacing: 0.45em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–gold);
display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 1rem;
margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.section-label::before {
content: ”; display: block;
width: 1.5rem; height: 1px;
background: var(–gold);
}
h2 {
font-family: ‘Cormorant Garamond’, serif;
font-size: clamp(2.6rem, 4.5vw, 4.2rem);
font-weight: 700;
line-height: 1.05;
color: var(–off-white);
margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
}
h2 em { color: var(–gold); font-style: italic; }
/* ─── ABOUT ─── */
.about { background: var(–charcoal-2); }
.about-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1.1fr 1fr;
gap: 6rem;
align-items: start;
}
.prose p {
font-size: 1rem;
line-height: 1.9;
color: var(–text-body);
margin-bottom: 1.4rem;
}
.prose p strong {
color: var(–off-white);
font-weight: 500;
}
.prose p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
.about-aside {}
.aside-block {
background: rgba(201,168,76,0.05);
border: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.18);
padding: 2rem 2.2rem;
margin-bottom: 1.5px;
}
.aside-block-label {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.65rem;
letter-spacing: 0.35em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–gold-dark);
margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.aside-block-content {
font-family: ‘Cormorant Garamond’, serif;
font-size: 1.35rem;
line-height: 1.45;
color: var(–off-white);
font-weight: 400;
}
.aside-block-content em {
color: var(–gold);
font-style: italic;
}
.aside-block-sub {
font-size: 0.85rem;
color: var(–text-muted);
margin-top: 0.6rem;
line-height: 1.6;
}
/* ─── CREDENTIALS STRIP ─── */
.credentials {
background: var(–charcoal-3);
border-top: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.12);
border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.12);
padding: 0;
}
.cred-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
}
.cred-item {
padding: 3rem 2.5rem;
border-right: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.12);
position: relative;
transition: background 0.3s;
}
.cred-item:last-child { border-right: none; }
.cred-item:hover { background: var(–charcoal-4); }
.cred-item::before {
content: ”;
position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
height: 2px;
background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(–gold), transparent);
transform: scaleX(0); transform-origin: left;
transition: transform 0.4s ease;
}
.cred-item:hover::before { transform: scaleX(1); }
.cred-tag {
display: inline-block;
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.62rem;
letter-spacing: 0.3em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–gold);
border: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.3);
padding: 0.25rem 0.7rem;
margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.cred-title {
font-family: ‘Cormorant Garamond’, serif;
font-size: 1.4rem;
font-weight: 600;
color: var(–off-white);
line-height: 1.2;
margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
}
.cred-desc {
font-size: 0.85rem;
line-height: 1.7;
color: var(–text-muted);
}
/* ─── COMMUNITY / INVOLVEMENT ─── */
.involvement { background: var(–charcoal); }
.involvement-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
gap: 2px;
margin-top: 1rem;
}
.inv-card {
background: var(–charcoal-2);
padding: 3rem;
position: relative;
overflow: hidden;
transition: background 0.3s;
}
.inv-card:hover { background: var(–charcoal-3); }
.inv-card-num {
position: absolute; top: 2rem; right: 2.5rem;
font-family: ‘Cormorant Garamond’, serif;
font-size: 5rem;
font-weight: 700;
color: rgba(201,168,76,0.07);
line-height: 1;
pointer-events: none;
}
.inv-icon {
width: 2.5rem; height: 2.5rem;
background: rgba(201,168,76,0.1);
border: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.25);
display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
color: var(–gold);
font-size: 1rem;
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.inv-title {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.95rem;
font-weight: 600;
letter-spacing: 0.1em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–gold);
margin-bottom: 0.8rem;
}
.inv-body {
font-size: 0.9rem;
line-height: 1.8;
color: var(–text-body);
}
/* ─── CONSULTING ─── */
.consulting { background: var(–charcoal-2); }
.consulting-layout {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.2fr;
gap: 5rem;
align-items: center;
}
.consulting-quote {
font-family: ‘Cormorant Garamond’, serif;
font-size: 2rem;
font-style: italic;
line-height: 1.45;
color: var(–off-white);
border-left: 3px solid var(–gold);
padding-left: 2rem;
margin-bottom: 2rem;
}
.consulting-quote em { color: var(–gold); font-style: normal; }
.consulting-detail {
font-size: 0.88rem;
line-height: 1.8;
color: var(–text-muted);
margin-bottom: 2rem;
}
.contact-strip {
display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.8rem;
}
.contact-row {
display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 1.2rem;
}
.contact-row-label {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.62rem;
letter-spacing: 0.3em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–text-muted);
width: 4.5rem;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.contact-row-value {
font-size: 0.9rem;
color: var(–gold);
text-decoration: none;
transition: color 0.3s;
}
.contact-row-value:hover { color: var(–gold-light); }
.consulting-right {}
.service-list {
display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 2px;
}
.service-item {
display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 1.5rem;
background: var(–charcoal-3);
padding: 1.5rem 2rem;
transition: background 0.3s;
}
.service-item:hover { background: var(–charcoal-4); }
.service-num {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.65rem;
letter-spacing: 0.2em;
color: var(–gold-dark);
flex-shrink: 0;
padding-top: 0.15rem;
}
.service-title {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.9rem;
font-weight: 600;
letter-spacing: 0.1em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–off-white);
margin-bottom: 0.3rem;
}
.service-desc {
font-size: 0.82rem;
color: var(–text-muted);
line-height: 1.6;
}
/* ─── FOOTER ─── */
footer {
position: relative; z-index: 1;
background: var(–charcoal-2);
border-top: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.15);
padding: 2.5rem 5rem;
display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;
}
.footer-name {
font-family: ‘Cormorant Garamond’, serif;
font-size: 1.1rem;
color: var(–off-white);
}
.footer-name span { color: var(–gold); font-style: italic; }
.footer-note {
font-family: ‘Barlow Condensed’, sans-serif;
font-size: 0.68rem;
letter-spacing: 0.2em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(–text-muted);
}
/* ─── RESPONSIVE ─── */
@media (max-width: 920px) {
nav { padding: 1rem 2rem; }
.nav-links { display: none; }
.hero, .section { padding-left: 2rem; padding-right: 2rem; }
.hero-scroll { left: 2rem; }
.about-grid, .consulting-layout { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 3rem; }
.cred-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
.cred-item { border-right: none; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.12); }
.involvement-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
footer { flex-direction: column; gap: 0.6rem; text-align: center; padding: 2rem; }
}
Rod Philpot
Brantford, Ontario
Rod
Philpot
Policy Engagement Consultant
RP Consulting · Brantford, ON
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About
Scholar. Consultant. Neighbour.
I’m a Brantford-based public affairs consultant, policy researcher, and civic educator whose work sits at the intersection of policy analysis, strategic communication, and public engagement. Through my practice, RP Consulting, I help organizations think more clearly about the communities they serve and the policies that shape them.
I hold a Master of Arts in Politics and Policy from Toronto Metropolitan University, along with two Honours Bachelor of Arts degrees from York University. That academic foundation informs not just how I work, but how I listen: carefully, critically, and with genuine curiosity about how policy actually lands in people’s lives.
Outside my consulting practice, I serve as a member of Brantford’s Environmental Policy Advisory Committee (ESPAC), volunteer as an officer with the Navy League Cadets, and engage directly in civic affairs. I believe Brantford deserves voices grounded in evidence, transparency, and genuine community connection.
Based in
Brantford, Ontario
Proud to call Ward 3 home — a neighbourhood of working families, local history, and genuine community spirit.
Profession
Policy Engagement Consultant
Founder of R. Philpot Consulting. Available for policy, engagement, and community consultation work.
Philosophy
“Policy without curiosity is just administration. I’m curious.“
Graduate Studies
MA — Politics & Policy, Communication and Culture
Toronto Metropolitan University, 2024. My graduate research applied content and thematic analysis to a major national policy moment — sharpening how I think about media framing, institutional communication, and public trust. GPA: 3.88.
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) × 2
BA (Hons) in Interdisciplinary Social Science — Magna Cum Laude, York University, 2019. BA (Hons) in Humanities, York University, 2017. Two degrees across social science and humanities, including original research in Critical Tourism Studies under faculty mentorship.
Professional Practice
R. Philpot Consulting
I work with organizations and institutions that need to connect meaningfully with the communities and decision-makers they serve — bridging the gap between policy and people.
Community
Where I Show Up
01
⚓
Navy League Cadets Officer
I volunteer my time as an officer in Brantford’s naval cadet program, serving as an Acting Sub Lieutenant (NL). Week in, week out, I work alongside young people — helping them build confidence, discipline, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. Investing in youth isn’t a talking point for me; it’s a Friday.
02
★
Brant Naval Veterans’ Association
As a member of the BNVA — the Brantford chapter of the Royal Canadian Naval Association — I stand alongside veterans and their families in commemorating naval service and heritage. I value the fellowship, the history, and the responsibility of honouring those who served Canada at sea.
03
◈
Environmental Policy Advisory Committee
I serve on Brantford’s Environmental Policy Advisory Committee (ESPAC), where I apply the same evidence-based, due-diligence approach I bring to consulting work. I prepare thoroughly, ask hard questions, and advocate for transparency — including questioning proposals before their full contents are available for public review.
04
❖
Speaking to Power
In August 2025, I presented to Brantford’s Committee of the Whole on Bill 5 — urging Council to accompany any acceptance of the provincial legislation with meaningful public consultation commitments and local accountability measures. Because economic growth must remain anchored in public trust. That’s not a talking point. It’s a principle.
Consulting
Policy that doesn’t engage the public
isn’t really policy. It’s just paperwork.
RP Consulting works with public and private individuals, non-profits, institutions, and community organizations that want to engage more effectively with policy processes and the people those policies affect. I bring academic rigour, clear communication, and a genuine understanding of how communities work.
01
Policy Analysis & Review
Clear-eyed assessment of policies, proposals, and regulatory frameworks — translated into plain language for decision-makers and communities alike.
02
Community Engagement Design
I help organizations move beyond checkbox consultation toward genuine two-way dialogue with the communities they serve.
03
Stakeholder Communication
I help organizations communicate complex policy positions clearly, credibly, and with the kind of transparency that builds lasting public trust.
04
Research & Reporting
Evidence-based research and reporting to support informed decision-making at the organizational, community, and institutional level.