Meet Our Founder
Sandra Bocanegra
Founder & President, Community for Her
Sandra Bocanegra is an entrepreneur, community leader, real estate professional, and founder of Community for Her, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals through education, leadership development, personal growth, and meaningful community connections.
Originally from Apodaca, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area in Nuevo León, Mexico, Sandra arrived in the United States with two young daughters, two suitcases, and only $2,000 in her pocket. Like many immigrants, she left behind everything familiar in pursuit of new opportunities and a better future for her family.
Starting over was not easy. She faced language barriers, cultural differences, financial uncertainty, and the challenge of rebuilding her life from the ground up. In Mexico, Sandra had worked in government and communications, but in the United States she had to reinvent herself, learn a new system, and create opportunities where none seemed to exist.
Throughout that journey, she discovered something that would shape the rest of her life: success is rarely achieved alone. Along the way, mentors, friends, community leaders, and complete strangers opened doors, offered guidance, and believed in her potential when she needed it most.
Those experiences inspired Sandra to create Community for Her.
Founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to support, opportunity, and encouragement, Community for Her was created to help individuals navigate life transitions, build confidence, develop new skills, expand professional networks, and create pathways toward personal and professional success.
Under Sandra’s leadership, the organization has grown beyond traditional empowerment programs to include leadership development, educational initiatives, community outreach, youth engagement, cultural exchange, and collaborative projects that connect communities across borders.
Sandra is also the creator of Monterrey–Houston United Through Tennis, an international initiative designed to unite young athletes, families, community leaders, and organizations from Mexico and the United States through sports, cultural exchange, and leadership opportunities.
Today, she continues to build partnerships with business leaders, educators, nonprofit organizations, government officials, volunteers, and community advocates who share a common vision: creating stronger communities by investing in people.
Sandra’s journey is proof that new beginnings are possible. Her guiding belief remains simple:
"When people come together with purpose, collaboration becomes opportunity, and opportunity creates lasting change."
Through Community for Her, she is committed to helping others discover what she learned through her own journey: that with determination, support, and community, it is possible to build a future greater than the one you imagined.
Meet Our Leadership Team
"Community for Her is built through the dedication of leaders, volunteers, and professionals who share a common vision: creating opportunities and strengthening communities through service, education, and collaboration."
José Luis Grimaldo
Former Elite-Level Tennis Player
Director of Sports Development & Binational Programs
Some stories begin with a championship.
His began with two forgotten wooden racquets.
At the age of seven, José Luis Grimaldo discovered a pair of racquets his mother had purchased years earlier. At a time when owning tennis equipment represented a significant sacrifice for a working family, those racquets remained tucked away, waiting for someone to pick them up.
Curiosity quickly became passion.
Playing on simple community courts, José Luis caught the attention of respected community leaders who recognized potential in a young boy simply enjoying the game. That opportunity changed the course of his life.
Through the Tennis Association of Nuevo León, he began competing throughout Mexico and, by the age of twelve, became part of the Mexican National Junior Circuit. During his competitive career, he faced some of the world's top players, including future Grand Slam champion Jim Courier, and later earned a place in the selection process for the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, a dream that was ultimately interrupted by injury.
Following Hurricane Gilberto, José Luis accepted what was intended to be a temporary position working with a small group of young players while waiting to return to competition.
What was meant to be temporary became a lifelong mission.
For more than thirty years, he has dedicated his career to developing children, juniors, adults, and coaches, believing that tennis is much more than a sport—it is discipline, confidence, opportunity, and personal growth.
Among the athletes he has helped develop are Estefanía Vela, former No. 1 player in Mexico in the 10, 12, and 14-year-old divisions, and Sofía Leza, a young player first discovered at a summer camp who became one of his proudest coaching achievements.
Today, as Director of Sports Development & Binational Programs for Community for Her, José Luis helps lead initiatives designed to connect communities through sports, mentorship, leadership, and cultural exchange between Mexico and the United States.
Why Community for Her?
"It is an important challenge, but above all, I believe in the vision and mission of Community for Her. Through this organization, we have the opportunity to share experiences and create positive moments that can make a difference in people's lives."
Personal Philosophy
"A través del tiempo, se va aprendiendo de las dificultades que la vida te pone, y está en uno mismo saber cómo afrontarlas."
— José Luis Grimaldo, Tennis Coach
Community for Her is a Houston-based nonprofit supporting women and youth through mentorship, leadership, and community programs.
Community for Her is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
nonprofit for women in Houston Texas
Our Mission
Community for Her is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe spaces, advancing women’s leadership, and fostering cross-border community impact for women and youth.
Our Vision
We envision thriving communities where women rise together, supported across borders, and empowered to build lasting economic and generational opportunity.
Our Approach
Leadership development
Mentorship & rebuilding pathways
Safe support circles
Youth & sports initiatives
Cross-border collaboration
Real support. Real community.
Where no woman walks alone.