For Camlo Looper, making a difference is not only a career choice, but a call shaped by life experiences, family values, and a firm belief that success is measured by the life you come into contact with rather than the wealth you accumulate.
Kanlo grew up and was surrounded by examples of resilience and effort. His grandmother was a determined businesswoman who survived the Great Depression and raised two daughters in the 1950s, a time when women had few financial opportunities. Through perseverance and sacrifice, she built a life for her family, transforming her creativity and work ethics into financial stability. Camlo considers her to be one of his greatest inspirations, a reminder that no real success was found on the cover of a magazine, but in the unknown stories of everyday heroes.
Educational Opportunities Provide Challenges, Life Courses
His story began to take shape thanks to San Francisco’s support from the Higher Education Program. With her help, Camlo received a partial scholarship from Deerfield Academy, a prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts. His father, Leroy Looper, recognized the importance of this opportunity—not only a recognition of Camlo’s potential, but also a demonstration that diversity and inclusion programs can change lives.
From Deerfield, Camlo Looper’s educational journey took him further away – all the way to South Africa, where he attended another top school. There, a short walk one day reveals a sharp contrast: a nearby primary school, passionate teachers and eager students, even lacking the most basic resources. Without hesitation. He organized a fundraising campaign to provide school supplies to students, provide tuition support to students, and even provide baristas to teachers. “I want to keep my promise to that teacher,” he said. It was a small gesture, but reflects his lifelong belief that real change usually begins with appearing and following.
Despite these achievements, Kemalo’s path was not always smooth. He missed his family and friends back home, but his perseverance paid off: He had won the SAT multiple times and eventually won the National Merit Award for his English scores. His discipline and independence from his home residency – first with a young boarding school and then with a global half of his youth – would shape his life and leadership.
Today, Camlo is taking the senior associate director of property management at the Spine Housing Clinic (THC) in San Francisco, which is the city’s leading nonprofit housing provider. Since 1980, THC has been committed to supporting low-income and formerly homeless people. Its team of 340 professionals provides permanent housing for more than 2,000 adults in 22 single-room (SRO) hotels, provides monetary management services, fight unjust evictions, and provides life-changing support for San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents.
Camlo Looper has not started working in a nonprofit world. After completing his studies, he set up a company that combines his passion for decorative arts with historically accurate restoration. He also became a licensed real estate agent and worked with a Chicago-based resort development company for several years. This experience eventually led him to work as sales director for a San Francisco startup.
After working in the private sector for a few years, Kamlo realized it was missing. “I felt no inspiration or emptiness inside,” he recalled, and decided to take two years off to reflect on his purpose. During that time of introspection, he was taken to THC and has remained there ever since – driven by a task of tangible differences.
The reward of life lies in helping others; leading by example
One of Camlo Looper’s proudest moments on THC was when he helped his mother reunite with his son – two people who hadn’t seen in 40 years, and weren’t even sure if the other was still alive. Carlo reflects: “The real reward of life is usually not the benefits we receive, but what we provide to others.” That reunion is not just two people, but also reminds people that connection, hope and closure can ripple outward and move families and communities.
Camlo believes that real leadership only happens when no one watches it. He coaches his team at THC, fosters their growth and guides them through challenges. Watching each of his four colleagues develop their career has been one of his most fulfilling career achievements.
“I believe you have to lead by example. I once heard someone say in an interview that when no one looks, leaders are becoming leaders and that resonates with me and I try to show up in my daily work. I believe that I believe in mentoring and helping people succeed, and my strong belief that when you have an impact on someone’s life, their lives will not only make people feel friendly, but their social effects are not just their family, but their friendships are also the same.
As for role models, Camlo places great importance on those without big fanfare – Philanthropists Mackenzie Scott and Melinda Gates, who use their resources to create real, measurable change. “The world often glorifies CEOs and billionaires, but many of these industries are supported by taxpayer subsidies. No one can subsidize my grandmother – she made everything through determination and sacrifice.”
Build a personal life with the same intention and dedication
In his personal life, Kmarlowe used the same thoughtful dedication. He is proud of the 19-year relationship he shared with his partner and the family they have built together. He talks about their intentional choices – from the way they decide what job or career to the rest of your day, it proves his value for planning and responsibility. Looking back, Camlo’s advice to his young self is: Dreams are good, but actions turn dreams into reality. “You have to take the first concrete step – write down, schedule meetings, make deposits – and do something to get closer to your goal.”
For Camlo Looper, success is not about being on buildings or making headlines. It’s about everyday, often invisible, influential – mentoring colleagues, reuniting families, and placing people in need. It’s about emerging, standing on integrity and choosing a more difficult but meaningful path.
Finally, Camlo Looper’s story is one of perseverance, integrity and influence, proving that true success is not measured by wealth but by the lives we improve along the way.
