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
Former Chicago bookstore owner remembers Gloria Steinem's lasting impact
More than three decades after Gloria Steinem drew hundreds of people to an Andersonville bookstore, former Women & Children First owner Linda Bubon is remembering the activist.
Exonerated Chicago woman opens home for formerly incarcerated, wrongfully convicted women on W. Side
More than six years after her release from prison, exonerated Chicago woman Marilyn Mulero has opened a West Side home for women who have been wrongfully convicted or who have spent more than a decade behind bars.
Family of man stabbed to death on Blue Line downtown Chicago sues CTA, security firms
The family of a man killed on a CTA Blue Line train has filed a lawsuit against the agency.
Activists demand accountability after at least 41 shot, 3 fatally, in Chicago weekend violence
Summer is winding down in Chicago, but the city's largest mass shooting this season happened over the weekend.
Gov. Braun visits Gary as storm recovery continues, residents seek federal aid
Gov. Mike Braun visited Gary on Monday as recovery efforts continue following the Aug. 11 storms.
1 killed, 14 injured as gunfire erupts during gatherings in Washington Park: police
Several gatherings were taking place, including a reunion for former residents of Robert Taylor Homes, when the shooting happened.
Bus cancellations derail travel plans for some March on Washington participants from Chicago
A group of Chicago teenagers was among those unable to attend the March on Washington after charter buses scheduled to take participants from Indiana to the nation's capital were canceled at the last minute.
Heather Mack's alleged co-conspirator in 'Bali suitcase murder' denied release; trial delayed
Tommy Schaefer will remain in federal custody after a judge denied a request for his release pending trial and postponed the start of the case until March.
Plans unveiled for 15-minute express 'O'Hare Flyer' trains from airport to downtown
Chicago business and civic leaders announced plans Tuesday for what they're calling the "O'Hare Flyer."
ICE arrests man after crash near Stevenson Expy., prompting questions from alderwoman and activists
Activists and local officials questioned what appeared to be agents' decision to use their vehicle to stop a blue pickup truck on a busy expressway off-ramp.