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.
Find on Facebook
Twitter: @mlgallardo.
Michelle's Stories
Oakbrook Terrace shooting: Man shot to death at Hilton hotel ID'd by coroner
The man killed in a west suburban hotel shooting on Saturday night has been identified.
Amundsen Park fieldhouse will not be used as a Chicago migrant shelter
Major progress is being made on a migrant base camp in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood and a popular fieldhouse won't be used to house migrants.
Migrants in Chicago: Crews begin construction of Brighton Park migrant camp
Construction crews arrived Wednesday in Brighton Park to begin work on a migrant base camp.
Churches to house hundreds of Chicago migrants as busloads arrive in city
Churches are opening their doors to Chicago migrants as busloads arrive in the city.
Chicago migrants: State to fund Brighton Park migrant camp, brick and mortar site in Little Village
Both the city and state told ABC7 that despite delays related to environmental concerns, they hope to begin work on a Brighton Park migrant camp and on a second brick and mortar site in Little Village later this week.
Chicago migrants: Construction on Brighton Park base camp will not begin Monday, mayor's office says
According to the mayor's office, construction on a migrant base camp in Brighton Park will not begin Monday, despite a letter from Alderwoman Julia Ramirez saying it would.
Salvation Army, Rainbow PUSH Coalition provide Thanksgiving meals to Chicago families in need
The Salvation Army and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition offered Thanksgiving meals to those in need in Chicago Thursday.
Defense argues Burger King owner wanted to cozy up to former alderman in Ed Burke trial
For a second straight day the owner of several hundred Burger King franchises across the United States testified in former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke's corruption trial.
Over 500 nurses in Joliet nurses begin 2-day strike
More than 500 nurses at Ascension Saint Joseph in Joliet went on strike Tuesday alleging unfair labor practices.
Oak Park trustees vote to spend an additional $500K to help migrants through winter
Oak Park voted Monday night to allocate hundreds of thousands of dollars to help migrants through the winter.