ABOUT:

The international team at The Common believe that stories have the ability to spark empathy, open minds and change hearts. Every day we tell countless stories to our family members at home, to a friend on the street or to a colleague in the office. Stories connect us. They invite others to stop, listen and say, “Wow, me too!” We are committed to creating the space for people to come together and find common ground.

After completing an undergraduate degree in English Literature at Earlham College (Richmond, Indiana), Dr. Hampton earned a Masters of Science in Teaching (the University of Chicago), a Masters of Education and a Doctorate in Higher Education at Columbia University's Teachers College (New York, New York).  Southwestern University awarded her the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa).

Dr. Hampton served as President of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (Little Rock, Arkansas) and Contributions Manager, Education and Culture at the GTE Corporate Foundation (Stamford, Connecticut).  Twenty-three years of her career were spent in academic administrative positions at Iona College (New Rochelle, NY), the University of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin) and Southwestern University (Georgetown, Texas). 

Her honors and awards include: 2019 Alumni Diversity Leadership Award, the University of Chicago; 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award, Teachers College, Columbia University; 2017 Award of Excellence, the Little Rock Central High School Tiger Foundation; 2013 Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site's Soul of Humanity Award; 2005 Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Award; 2005 Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE) Lifetime Achievement Award and 14th Annual James A. Joseph Lecturer; 2002 Arkansas Region, National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) Humanitarian Award; Arkansas Business Top 100 Women in Arkansas 1997, 1998, and 1999.

Following retirement Dr. Hampton served as Interim General Manager of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.  

Dr. Hampton served as president of the Little Rock Aesthetic Club and the Little Rock Club, and formerly was a board member of the Japanese American National Museum, Arkansas Blue Cross, Blue Shield , the Blue and You Foundation, the Foundation for the Mid-South and the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation.  She currently is a member of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Reynolds Institute on Aging Advisory Board, the Mount Holly Cemetery Board, and is a Life Member of the Girls Scouts of America, the Arkansas Symphony Guild and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors.

Mikkel Øhlenschlæger Andersen

Mikkel first discovered his passion for storytelling as an intern at The Moth in New York in 2008. Raised on the small island of Ærø in the southern part of Denmark, Mikkel was captivated by the tall tales and sailor stories, sparking a lifelong fascination with the art of storytelling. Before moving to New York, he worked in the film and TV industry, driven by the desire to create stories. He later found a way to combine his love for storytelling and travel by working as a tour leader, sharing stories of the world with Danish travelers. During this time, he also organized a three-day storytelling event as part of Denmark's largest music festival, Roskilde Festival.

In addition to his work in storytelling, Mikkel founded a small (tiny) publishing house where he published a portrait book and a children's book by his son Otto, who became Denmark's youngest author at the age of five. Now based in Copenhagen, Mikkel is deeply involved in a variety of projects and finds great fulfillment in crafting memorable experiences for others, a mission he continues to pursue with The Common.

Jennifer Edmonds

Jennifer has dedicated her career to transforming education systems and supporting youth development, with a focus on expanding equity and access for all students. Her professional journey began with a passion for building strong, community-rooted after-school programs, recognizing them as vital public goods. Over time, her commitment to educational excellence evolved into a broader mission: identifying, training, and mentoring the next generation of public school principals, ensuring they are equipped to lead with equity, vision, and accountability. Her work consistently emphasizes data-informed strategies and inclusive leadership, helping schools and districts better serve historically undervalued students and communities.

Jennifer’s academic background reflects her multifaceted interests and commitment to both creativity and public service. She earned her undergraduate degree in Fine Arts from Clark University, a foundation that continues to influence her perspective on the central role of creative thinking in education and leadership. She later completed a Master’s in Public Administration at New York University, deepening her expertise in policy, systems thinking, and organizational change.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jennifer is a passionate photographer and an avid scuba diver. Personally, she is a devoted advocate for finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, a cause close to her heart.

Jennifer brings to The Common a rare blend of empathy, strategic thinking, and relentless dedication to creating more just and effective education systems.

The Common Team

Jennifer Birmingham

Executive Director of The Common. Jennifer has spent more than 20 years bringing ambitious creative projects to life in the worlds of media and the arts. She’s managed production at Pixar Animation Studios and Blue Sky Studios, directed the New York International Children’s Film Festival, and, as Managing Director of Programs at The Moth, led everything from live show production to the inaugural Pop-Up Porch tour. She also championed storytelling workshops for high school students and adults, partnering with nonprofits to amplify voices and spark connection.

Meg Bowles

Jon Goode

Executive Producer of The Common. Jon is an Emmy-nominated author, poet and playwright. He has told stories on stage in every state in the US, and his work has been featured on CNN, HBO, VH1, MTV, TVOne and BET. He is author of the poetry collection Conduit, the novel Mydas, which spent sixteen weeks as a #1 new title on Amazon, and most recently, a collection of short stories entitled Black Curio. He has been a regular host of live events for The Moth.

Artistic Director of The Common. Meg is a founding member of the world-renowned storytelling organisation, The Moth, and co-host of the Peabody Award-winning The Moth Radio Hour, which airs on 550+ public radio stations in the US. Over the decades, she has helped a wide array of storytellers craft their stories and has directed shows everywhere from Anchorage to London. Her background in television (Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central, Discovery) and film (Miramax) has sharpened her editorial sense and eye for detail. Bowles is an author of the New York Times bestselling book How to Tell a Story.