Rigo Saborio MSG ‘94 has had a long, successful career as a leader in aging policy and advocacy. Across his varied experiences, his focus has been improving aging services for older adults facing structural racism, poverty, discrimination and systemic barriers to care.
This drive comes from Saborio’s background as an immigrant who has experienced racism and seen ageism. It’s grounded in the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion — principles that are under attack today.
Leading during turbulent times
Saborio became President and CEO of Archstone Foundation in January 2025. Archstone Foundation is a private organization that provides grants to improve the health of older adults.
“In addition to our day-to-day activities, we quickly realized we needed to meet this moment head-on,” Saborio says. “We hosted an event that featured research perspectives, real-time experiences and overviews of the many changes happening in the country. Participants had a much-needed opportunity to exchange ideas in a safe space and discuss how to move forward.”
Saborio has also used his visibility at Archstone Foundation to speak out about recent federal policy changes, authoring three timely articles:
- I Know What Fear Feels Like: Standing with My Fellow Immigrant Families in California
- It’s Not Reform — It’s a Betrayal of Older Adults and Caregivers
- Standing Firm in Our Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Overlapping opportunities lead to a promising start
Saborio had two pivotal experiences that set his career path in motion. They occurred along parallel tracks after completing his bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences with a certificate in aging.
He planned to start the Master of Science in Gerontology (MSG) program at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in the fall of 1991. But an opportunity to work for U.S. Congressman Edward Roybal in Washington, D.C. arose. At the time, Roybal served as chair of the Select Committee on Aging.
Of course, Saborio took the job. His role was to assist staff members with research, but he ended up heading several congressional hearings. “We were able to highlight disparities in health and nutrition among minority populations that people didn’t widely recognize at that time,” he says. “This experience sparked my desire to use policy levers to make the system work for those it has so often failed. In doing so, we benefit the aging experience for all.”
While working on the Hill, Saborio started the MSG program remotely. Ironically, his first course, which was on policy in aging, included a trip to Washington, D.C.
In 1992, Congressman Roybal decided to retire. “He made me promise when he hired me that I’d finish my master’s degree,” Saborio says. “So, I went back to California to take classes in person. But now, I had a clearer picture of how I could use my education to close gaps in care, especially for older adults from marginalized communities.”
Finding support from all angles
From the beginning, Saborio enjoyed a supportive environment at USC Leonard Davis School. “The administrators were welcoming and helped me get started when I was in D.C,” he says. “My professors always had an open door for conversation and guidance. I also found community in fellow students and alumni.”
The program helped Saborio form a robust network that would follow him. Years later, that network includes Laura Trejo ’82, MSG/MPA ’86, who now directs the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department. He also counts Professor Kathleen Wilber, whose work focuses on providing a secure old age for all, as a longtime mentor and peer.
Growing a career in aging advocacy and philanthropy
Saborio’s career journey has included high-level positions at leading organizations, including:
- USC Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center: Now-retired USC Leonard Davis School Professor Bob Knight, who served as the principal for the contract with USC, hired Saborio to be an educator and advocate. But the director position soon became available. “I became the youngest director of a caregiver resource center in the state,” Saborio says. “I’m grateful I got to know Bob Knight at the USC Leonard Davis School and that he believed in me.”
- AARP: Saborio worked at the state and national levels of the AARP. In California, he helped expand the state office to multiple cities and steer statewide advocacy and programmatic efforts to support AARP’s mission. As the national Director of Diversity Outreach and Alliances, Saborio was a key leader in forging and cultivating alliances and outreach programs to advance AARP’s diversity goals.
- St. Barnabas Senior Services: Saborio served as President and CEO of St. Barnabas, working alongside Kathleen Wilber, who was a board member. During his 13-year tenure, he increased the footprint of the 100-year-old organization with new advocacy and technology initiatives. “We established and catalyzed a cadre of older adult volunteers from marginalized communities to become advocates,” Saborio says. “We also launched the Aging Into the Future Conference, which became a premier business-to-consumer conference. I believe that reaching across sectors is vital to strengthening the health care system.”
- The SCAN Foundation: This position was Saborio’s first venture into philanthropy. True to his values, his work centered around advancing bold, equitable change in how older adults age in their homes and communities. As part of this effort, he united leaders in the aging and disability sectors and social and racial justice movements. A signature accomplishment of his time at The SCAN Foundation was the establishment of the United for Health Equity in Aging Summit.
Laying the groundwork for meaningful change
At Archstone Foundation, Saborio has been working on meeting the current moment with rapid response efforts. At the same time, he is building for a strong future that includes community-led action and cross-sector collaboration. Saborio’s ultimate vision is to amplify older adults’ voices so they can advocate for their needs, access quality health care and social services, and ultimately shape the systems that impact their lives.
“We want to put people at the center of everything we do and invest in making systems work for older adults and caregivers,” Saborio says. “Their voices are the essential element to help guide service providers, advocates and policymakers.”
Looking back, Saborio credits the USC Leonard Davis School with preparing him to take on leadership roles. Although his skills have sharpened with time, the MSG degree provided a strong foundation in analytical thinking, public speaking, budgeting and fund development.
“The program wasn’t just about the issues and populations,” Saborio says. “It laid the groundwork for managing and leading an organization. I’ve carried this knowledge with me in every role and every opportunity, so that every older adult can thrive as they age.”
To learn more about the Master of Science in Gerontology degree at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, call us at (213) 740-5156.
