Who we are

People connectwith people.

That one simple belief built this company. After decades of earning the trust of East Tennessee on television, we now help businesses do the same — blending storytelling, strategic content and creative marketing to uncover the human side of every brand.

We Know People Media was co-founded by former television news anchors Abby Ham and Heather Waliga, whose combined careers span more than 40 years.

Today, Abby’s and Heather’s personalities have become brands of their own, with a combined following of 200,000+ people and content that reaches millions every month. That reach is built on credibility, consistency and years of showing up for their community — qualities they bring to each of their clients.

We don’t just create content. We create stories that people remember, trust and share.

Meet the team

A team of storytellers.
One belief.

Co-Founder

Abby Ham

Award-winning journalist, storyteller, media strategist and speaker.

After more than two decades in television news, Abby made a major career pivot. Growing up in Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia and Tucson gave her an appreciation for different people, communities and perspectives — and her journalism degree from the University of Arizona cemented a belief that every person has a story worth telling.

She spent nearly two decades in East Tennessee as a trusted voice on 10 News Today, the number one morning show in Knoxville. Her experience in TV news reinforced what she has always believed: facts inform, but stories create connection. Today she brings that same journalistic approach to We Know People Media, the company she co-founded with her co-anchor and best friend, Heather Waliga.

Outside of work, Abby is first and foremost a mom to three incredible children. She loves great restaurants, traveling, and sharing her passion for beauty, fashion and wellness. On stage, behind a camera or coaching executives, her mission is the same: help people communicate with authenticity and tell stories people don’t just hear, but truly feel.

Co-Founder

Heather Waliga

Two decades as a trusted television news anchor — then a leap of faith.

Throughout her 20-year journalism career, Heather covered everything from major breaking news to unforgettable moments that brought communities together. But no matter the story, her favorite part was always the people. She built a career on earning trust, making genuine connections and helping others feel comfortable enough to share their stories.

A proud East Tennessean and University of Tennessee alum, Heather now brings that same curiosity, creativity and journalistic eye to helping brands connect with their audiences. Her ability to uncover authentic moments and make people feel at ease has become the heart of the company’s approach.

When she’s not behind the camera, you’ll find Heather making memories with her husband and two daughters, exploring East Tennessee, traveling, or out on the lake. She believes the best stories are always the real ones — and she’s passionate about helping others share theirs.

Creative Director

Ellis Rold

Storyteller, creator and award-winning journalist.

A proud graduate of Southern Methodist University’s journalism program, Ellis spent several years as a television news anchor and reporter covering everything from breaking news and high-profile court cases to in-depth investigations. Journalism taught her how to ask the right questions, build trust and find the stories that matter most.

As Creative Director, Ellis leads the creative process from idea to execution — developing content strategies, managing production teams and playing a role in every stage, from shooting and editing to campaign development. Equal parts strategist and creator, she loves helping brands translate their vision into content that feels compelling and true to who they are.

Outside of work you’ll find Ellis exploring Knoxville, planning her next trip, keeping up with the latest in beauty and fashion, or hanging out with her rescue dog, Indy.

Brand & Digital Designer

Carlie Bobo

Knoxville native, Ole Miss alum, creative strategist.

Carlie earned her Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Marketing from the University of Mississippi, then came straight home to begin her career in the community that shaped her.

She specializes in graphic design, social media branding, website design, SEO and content creation — blending creativity and strategy to help brands connect with their audiences in new ways.

When she’s not designing, you can find Carlie out on the lake, spending time with her dogs or cheering on the Rebels. As a lifelong Knoxvillian, she loves partnering with local businesses and telling the stories that make East Tennessee a great place to call home.

Creative Content Producer

Karsten Hoglund

Storyteller, social strategist, maker of content people stop scrolling for.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Karsten earned his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism with a concentration in creative media. Before joining We Know People, he spent two years with Tennessee Athletics’ 151 Creative team, helping create and manage content across the @vol_sports network — softball, baseball, tennis, Tennessee Club and track & field — for accounts reaching more than 1 million followers.

His experience spans live event coverage, short-form video, social strategy, audience engagement and digital storytelling, with additional stops at The Players’ Lounge, State Farm and UT’s student media organizations. Along the way he developed a love for finding the story behind a brand, person or moment and turning it into content people genuinely want to watch.

At We Know People, Karsten combines creativity, strategy and a passion for storytelling to create content that captures each client’s unique voice and connects with their audience. When he’s not creating, you can probably find him cheering on the Vols, spending time on the lake, keeping up with the latest social media trends or planning his next trip to Walt Disney World.

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