Founder’s Playbook
Research
In the early 2010s, policymakers, providers, and advocates were operating with little data about LGBTQ adults entering midlife. Without answers on economic security, housing, health, or caregiving, progress stalled. This project set out to generate the evidence—and ensure it reached the public arena where change begins.
Strategy: Robert Espinoza, AARP, Harris Interactive, Witeck Communications, Inc.
Design: RD Design
For: SAGE - Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders
Images: SAGE
Why the Moment Mattered
When research exists—but impact doesn’t
Many organizations face a familiar challenge: they invest in technically rigorous research, yet struggle to translate findings into something people can understand, feel, and use. Data remains siloed. Reports fail to resonate beyond experts. Policymakers and journalists need clarity, not complexity—and release strategies often lack the momentum needed to break through.
To create real-world impact, research must be both trusted and compelling.
How the Vision Took Shape
Pairing rigor with narrative
To fill a major gap in the field, SAGE, in partnership with AARP, Harris Poll (Nielsen), and Witteck Communications, undertook the nation’s first large-scale market research study of LGBTQ adults ages 45–65. Robert Espinoza served as project lead, overseeing research design, reporting, and the communications strategy.
From the outset, the goal was clear: produce a study that met the highest research standards while remaining accessible to everyday readers—and useful to advocates, policymakers, and the media.
What Was Delivered
A study designed to be read, shared and used
Under Robert’s leadership, the project delivered far more than a research report. He guided the development of a cohesive research and communications package that brought rigor, clarity, and strategic intent to every stage of the work. This included shaping thoughtful research questions and a strong methodological approach, coordinating closely with research partners during fielding and analysis, and translating findings through a policy and aging lens. He also oversaw the creation of a final report that balanced credibility with readability, supported by visuals and design elements that made complex insights accessible. To ensure the work reached the right audiences, he led a strategic rollout that included press outreach, stakeholder briefings, and a suite of shareable assets. Read the report here.
With this foundation in place, Out & Visible became a defining resource in the aging and LGBTQ fields—regularly cited by media, researchers, advocates, and policymakers. The study reshaped how LGBTQ midlife and aging were understood nationwide, surfacing previously invisible economic and caregiving realities and informing critical policy debates. By pairing rigorous research with strategic storytelling, the project moved findings into public discourse and equipped advocates with the evidence needed to drive change—demonstrating how well-executed research can shift narratives and expand what policymakers see as possible.
“Robert Espinoza has long been one of the nation’s most insightful voices on aging, bringing overdue attention to the experiences of marginalized older adults—especially LGBTQ+ elders and older people of color—and helping reshape how the field understands opportunity in later life.”
— Michael Adams, Former President and CEO, SAGE – Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders, and Former Board Chair, American Society on Aging
Meet the Founder
Founder & CEO of The CareWorks Project, Robert Espinoza is a national expert on the care economy, advising leaders on caregiving, aging, workforce policy, and narrative strategy to create a long—term care ecosystem that truly works.