MAD Global Strategy, a leading bipartisan public affairs firm that has rapidly expanded its footprint across the East Coast and Midwest, on Thursday announced the formal launch of its Washington, DC operations. The expansion is marked by the high-profile appointment of Mimi Braniff as managing director, bringing veteran federal leadership to the firm’s growing national platform.
The move formalizes MAD Global’s presence in the nation’s capital, providing a direct bridge between federal policymaking and the firm’s established state-level strategies in New Jersey, New York, Ohio and West Virginia.
Mimi Braniff joins MAD Global following a distinguished tenure as the Head of Federal Government and Regulatory Affairs for Exxon Mobil Corporation (2022–2025). Her arrival adds significant weight to the firm’s energy, transportation, and regulatory practices.
Braniff’s deep institutional knowledge is rooted in her extensive Capitol Hill experience, having served in senior roles for:
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The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
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The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
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The Senate Appropriations Committee
“MAD Global’s expansion to Washington is a natural evolution for the firm,” Mike DuHaime, founder and CEO of MAD Global Strategy said. “Mimi brings a rare perspective shaped by her time in the Senate and at Fortune 100 companies. Bringing her on board sharpens our ability to help clients win in high-stakes federal environments.”
The Washington office will be anchored by Braniff alongside Partner Jai Chabria, a veteran strategist who previously served as a senior advisor to Vice President J.D. Vance. Chabria’s federal expertise, combined with DuHaime’s history as Political Director at the Republican National Committee (RNC) and senior advisor to President George W. Bush, positions the firm as a premier bipartisan navigator in D.C.
“MAD Global has always been about results, not just access,” Chabria noted. “Together, we understand how decisions are really made in Washington.”
The firm’s entry into the D.C. market comes at a critical juncture as the 2026 midterms approach and federal agencies move toward significant rulemaking in the energy and tech sectors.
