[3] Gándara worked as a high school biology teacher and as a specialist in educational technology for IBM for 17 years.
Following the tradition of previous Puerto Rico first ladies, Gándara refrained from holding a remunerative job while a resident of La Fortaleza.
She developed two reading programs: Lee y Sueña and Rincón de la Lectura.
In March 2013, Gándara presented her candidacy to fill a vacant slot at the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico.
10th (2001): Sila María and María Elena González 11th (2005): Luisa Gándara 12th (2009): Lucé Vela 13th (2013): Wilma Pastrana 14th (2017): Beatriz Rosselló 15th (2019): Jorge Díaz Reverón 16th (2021): Caridad Pierluisi 17th (2024): Fabiola Ansótegui