Corporate Profile: Mindset (Formerly The Cypress Group)
Overview
Mindset (legally operating as Mindset Advocacy, LLC and formerly known as The Cypress Group) is a premier bipartisan strategic advisory and public policy firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2005 as The Cypress Group by Pat Cave, a former Treasury Department official, the firm rebranded to "Mindset" in October 2020 to reflect its evolving mission and expanded breadth of expertise.
The firm serves as a bridge between the complex world of federal policy and the strategic business goals of its clients. Mindset is distinguished by its bipartisan composition, employing senior professionals from both sides of the political aisle who have served in high-level roles within the White House, Congress, and various regulatory agencies. Their client roster includes more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies, as well as institutional investors, innovative startups, and major non-profits.
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Core Business Philosophy
The firm?s rebranding to Mindset signifies a move away from traditional "check-the-box" lobbying toward a more integrated, strategy-first approach. Their work is grounded in several key principles:
* Business-Centric Strategy: The firm aligns policy objectives with the client's internal business cycles, earnings calls, and long-term investment goals.
* Bipartisan Collaboration: Mindset maintains a deliberate balance of Democratic and Republican talent to ensure their clients' messages resonate regardless of which party holds the majority.
* "Seeing Around Corners": A core tenet of their service is predictive analysis?anticipating legislative and regulatory shifts months or years before they occur.
Service Offerings
Mindset provides a multi-layered suite of services designed to manage political risk and advocate for client interests at the highest levels of government.
1. Strategic Advisory & Analysis
Mindset acts as an external intelligence arm for C-suite executives and investors, helping them interpret the impact of Washington on market value.
* Political Risk Audits: Assessing how potential legislative changes or executive orders could affect a client?s specific business model or industry sector.
* Deep-Dive Research: Delivering bespoke white papers, hearing summaries, and policy development papers that translate "Beltway-speak" into actionable business intelligence.
* Deal Due Diligence: Assisting institutional investors in evaluating the regulatory hurdles and political climate surrounding potential mergers, acquisitions, or large-scale investments.
2. Public Policy Advocacy (Lobbying)
The firm provides sophisticated representation before Congress and federal administrative agencies.
* Legislative Drafting: Directly assisting in the development of legislative language and regulatory comments.
* Testimony Preparation: Coaching executives for appearances before Congressional committees.
* Coalition Management: Building and leading industry groups to create a unified voice on critical policy issues.
3. Communications & Brand Building
Beyond direct advocacy, Mindset helps clients manage their reputation and narrative within the D.C. ecosystem.
* Washington Brand-Building: Crafting a long-term presence for companies that may be new to the federal landscape.
* Media & Grassroots Strategy: Coordinating traditional and digital media efforts to support policy goals and influence public opinion.
Sector Expertise
Mindset operates through five dedicated sector divisions, reflecting the diverse complexities of the modern economy:
| Sector | Focus Areas |
| :--- | :--- |
| Financial Services & Housing | Banking regulations, capital markets, housing finance (GSEs), and fintech innovation. |
| Energy, Environment & Infrastructure | Climate policy, renewable energy incentives, and large-scale infrastructure funding. |
| Insurance, Retirement & Healthcare | ERISA, insurance prudential standards, and healthcare delivery reform. |
| Tax, Budget & Trade | Federal tax code changes, appropriations, and global trade agreements/tariffs. |
| Tech, Media & Telecom | Data privacy, broadband expansion, AI regulation, and cybersecurity policy. |
Notable Clients and Impact
As a top-performing firm consistently recognized by Bloomberg Government, Mindset represents some of the most influential entities in the global economy. Their historical and current client list includes:
* Financial Giants: Goldman Sachs, Visa USA Inc., Wells Fargo, and Invesco.
* Technology Leaders: Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Zillow.
* Emerging Tech: Paradigm and Solana (focusing on blockchain and cryptocurrency policy).
* Industry Groups: The American Investment Council.
Leadership and Structure
The firm is led by a group of partners who took over the interest of the founder in 2019. Key leadership includes:
* Langston Emerson: A founding partner with deep experience in financial services and bipartisan advocacy.
* Bridget Hagan: A specialist in insurance and retirement policy who serves on the Federal Reserve Board's Insurance Policy Advisory Committee.
* Rick Dearborn: Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff with extensive legislative experience.
Mindset?s headquarters is located at 655 New York Ave., NW, Suite 820, Washington, DC 20001, positioning the firm at the center of the nation's policy-making hub.
