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
Couple detained by ICE traveling to Mexico to reunite with Chicago-born son fighting terminal cancer
A couple who were held in ICE custody in Arizona are now on their way to Mexico, hoping to be by the side of their Chicago-born son, who may not have long to live as he fights terminal cancer.
Couple in ICE custody fighting to be with dying Chicago-born son in his final days fighting cancer
A couple is fighting to be near their Chicago-born son who may have days to live as he fights stage 4 colon cancer. They were arrested trying to cross the border from Mexico to say goodbye to their son.
Officers honored, remembered at CPD Recognition Ceremony; supt. gives update on injured officer
An award ceremony Monday came just as the Chicago Police Department is getting ready to bury one of their own and with another still in the hospital battling for his life.
Burglars steal ATM from Mexican restaurant in Bridgeport: VIDEO
A brazen burglary at a Chicago Mexican restaurant was captured on surveillance video. The thieves were in and out in just two minutes, targeting the restaurant's ATM and getting away with around $4,000 in cash.
FBI, IRS agents raid home, restaurants in Northwest Indiana; indictment alleges gambling operation
Federal agents were seen conducting multiple investigations at a home and businesses in Northwest Indiana. An indictment accuses two business owners of leading a gambling operation out of their restaurants and threatening multiple victims who couldn't pay off debts.
Woman shot by federal agents in Chicago testifies on 2nd day of Illinois Accountability Commission
Tuesday was the second day of the Illinois Accountability Commission.
New body camera video released from violent interactions during 'Operation Midway Blitz'
An Illinois group revealed some results from its investigation into "Operation Midway Blitz" Monday.
Chicago police officer killed in shooting at hospital identified; another officer critically hurt
Officials have identified the Chicago police officer killed in a shooting at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital as 38-year-old Officer John Bartholomew.
Pedestrian shot in apparent road rage incident downtown Chicago, police say
A shooting downtown Chicago during the Thursday morning rush was caused by apparent road rage toward a pedestrian, police said.
Woman shot by Border Patrol in Chicago, pastor hit with pepper balls testify in Washington
The Chicago woman who was shot several times by a Border Patrol agent called for accountability on Capitol Hill Wednesday.