Michelle Gallardo
Before coming to ABC 7, Michelle spent three years as weather anchor/reporter at Univision Chicago. In all, Michelle has over 20 years of producing and reporting experience that includes local, national, and international news.
Michelle also has extensive experience in the area of documentary production. In 2004, following the Asian tsunami, she travelled to Thailand and Sri Lanka to cover its aftermath. Airing on The Weather Channel and National Geographic's Storm Stories series, the resulting shows earned "Best Documentary" awards at the 2005 Telly's.
Originally from Mexico, Michelle began her on-camera career as an entertainment reporter for Television Azteca in Mexico City. While there, from 1998 to 2000 she travelled to the U.S frequently, interviewing the top celebrities of the day.
Exciting as that was, Michelle jumped at the opportunity to freelance at CNN's Mexico City bureau. This was during the now historic 2000 presidential elections, in which Mexico's ruling party lost power for the first time in 70 years.
Some of Michelle's earliest experience however was gained through opportunities provided to her by Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, where she attended graduate School. Both in 1996, they include a brief stint as Washington correspondent for WMAQ radio, and as production assistant for GMTV (Good Morning Television) in London. It was upon returning to the U.S that Michelle began her career in earnest. She landed jobs in Washington DC as an associate producer and field producer for Hearst-Argyle TV and Conus Communications respectively.
Born in Mexico City, Michelle is a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico and is fully bilingual and bicultural. She was raised spending school years in Mexico City and summers with her American family in New York.
Michelle received her undergraduate degree in international relations from the Universidad de las Americas-Puebla, in Mexico. She also holds a Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
Michelle currently lives in downtown Chicago. She's a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete. She also enjoys scuba diving, theater, film, art, reading, cooking and travel.
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Twitter: @mlgallardo.
Michelle's Stories
Jury hears recordings from ex-Chicago alderman in former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan trial
A former Chicago alderman was back on the witness stand in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan Monday at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.
Holiday dinner served at community center in Austin ahead of Thanksgiving
Inside the unassuming headquarters for the Life Changing Community Outreach center in Austin, waiters with menus took orders from guests Saturday as they arrived for an early Thanksgiving meal.
Long-awaited testimony from Chicago-Alderman-turned-mole Daniel Solis begins in Mike Madigan trial
A key witness in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan took the stand Thursday at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.
Former Cook County commissioner says he had no-work contract in ex-IL Speaker Mike Madigan trial
Jurors on Wednesday heard what could be crucial new testimony in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Former Navy Pier, McCormick Place boss takes stand in ex-Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan trial
The corruption trial against Michael Madigan is now in its fifth week at the Dirksen Federal Building.
FBI agents testify on search warrants in former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan trial
The federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continued Monday.
Family, community pay respects at visitation for fallen CPD Officer Enrique Martinez
CPD Officer Enrique Martinez, a nearly three-year veteran of the department, was killed on Nov. 4 while conducting a traffic stop in East Chatham.
Family says man killed in Gary police shooting was trying to sell PlayStation game
Gary police said officers went undercover, pretending to be buyers with the goal of arresting a suspect.
Defense cross-examines star witness in former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan trial
A former ComEd executive -- turned government informant -- was back on the stand Wednesday for his fifth day in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Defense cross-examines star witness in former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan trial
After a four-day break, the defense cross-examined a star witness on Tuesday in Mike Madigan's federal corruption trial.