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
Israel Independence Day celebration at Daley Plaza draws pro-Palestinian protesters
Two pro-Palestinian protesters managed to get on stage at Daley Plaza before being dragged off by police.
Micro-preemie beats the odds, goes home nearly 6 months after miracle birth at Silver Cross Hospital
Nyla Brooke Haywood is the youngest baby ever born at Silver Cross Hospital, delivered at just 22 weeks after her mother, Nakeya, was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.
Lockport Township man accused of shooting neighbor charged with hate crime, ordered held in custody
A Lockport Township man accused of shooting his neighbor appeared in court on multiple felony charges, including attempted murder and hate crime.
Families of Chicago murder victims want same urgency in their cases as CPD Officer Huesca's received
There was a call for action from Chicago families hurt by gun violence Wednesday.
Police clear University of Chicago pro-Palestinian encampment
Police removed a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park Tuesday morning.
Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, Google officials mark start of Thompson Center construction
Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Google officials gathered Monday to mark the start of construction on the Thompson Center.
68 arrested at Pro-Palestinian protest outside the Art Institute of Chicago, police say
A small encampment was set up Saturday in the garden area outside of the Art Institute of Chicago. At least 68 protesters were arrested as officers dismantled the encampment, Chicago police said.
SW Side Cinco de Mayo Parade rerouted after nearby gang-related fights, arrests, Chicago police say
The Cinco de Mayo Parade on Chicago's Southwest Side was rerouted on Sunday after reports of gang-related fights in the area. Multiple arrests were made, police said.
Suspect Xavier Tate, Jr., arrested in Glendale Heights with Officer Huesca's handcuffs: Alderman
The intense manhunt for Xavier Tate, Jr., suspect in the murder of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca, is over.
DePaul University pro-Palestinian encampment draws counter-protesters
Protesters and counter-protesters continued to demonstrate at DePaul University Tuesday.