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
Dexter Reed shot 13 times in CPD traffic stop, death ruled a homicide: medical examiner
Dexter Reed was shot 13 times during a traffic stop that turned deadly last month on Chicago's West Side, an autopsy showed.
CPD rules Ofc. Luis Huesca's death in line of duty, releases video of suspect in Gage Park shooting
Chicago police have officially declared Officer Luis Huesca died in the line of duty when he was fatally shot in Gage Park over the weekend. He would have turned 31 on Tuesday.
Chicago police looking for 'armed and dangerous' suspect in Officer Luis Huesca's shooting death
Chicago police released video of an "armed and dangerous" suspect they are looking for in connection with the fatal shooting of Officer Luis Huesca.
Off-duty Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca shot to death in Gage Park while driving home from shift
Off-duty Chicago Police Officer Luis M. Huesca was shot to death on the Southwest Side while driving home from his shift early Sunday, officials said.
Lawmakers, alderpersons demand 'immediate action' from IDOT for Pulaski Road safety on SW Side
There have been multiple serious and deadly crashes on a stretch of road on the Southwest Side. "It meets the criteria for IDOT to implement these safety measures, like pedestrian islands and corner bumpouts," 26th Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares said.
Police investigating nursing home sex abuse after resident with profound disabilities found pregnant
The Kane County sheriff is investigating a case of sexual abuse at a Geneva nursing home after one of the residents, a woman who cannot speak or walk, was found to be 33 weeks pregnant.
Lincoln Park alderman to introduce ordinance that could impose fines for antisemitic flyering
Alderman Timmy Knudsen says he plans to introduce a proposed ordinance into the Chicago City Council that would deter those who distribute materials like antisemitic flyers by imposing a fine on them if caught.
Vigil held after Back of the Yards mass shooting kills 9-year-old girl, wounds 10 others
Family and friends are mourning the loss of a 9-year-old girl who was shot and killed during a family celebration in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Family IDs 9-year-old girl killed in in Back of the Yards shooting; 3 children among 10 others shot
The family of a 9-year-old girl killed in a Saturday night shooting has identified her. Three children were among 10 other people shot at the South Side family gathering.
Peace marchers in West Garfield Park speak out against Chicago gun violence ahead of summer
A Chicago peace march Saturday is a part of a larger plan from community groups, who said they are bringing gang leaders to the table in hopes of negotiating a summer peace treaty.