Meet our team

Darrell Wood is the Founder and Executive Director of Cues for Cancer, a nationally registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring hope, resilience, and healing for individuals and families affected by cancer through the transformative power of the performing arts.

A cancer survivor himself, Darrell founded Cues for Cancer after facing a life-altering diagnosis of testicular cancer at just eighteen years old. Supported by his family and the theater community that shaped his early life, he underwent surgery and chemotherapy and ultimately entered remission. That experience became the spark that ignited a lifelong commitment to advocacy, storytelling, and community care.

Darrell’s leadership bridges artistry, public service, and nonprofit innovation. With a background in performing arts and organizational leadership, he works to create programs that use creative expression as a pathway for healing, connection, and empowerment. Through initiatives such as community workshops, artistic collaborations, and national outreach efforts, he continues to expand Cues for Cancer’s reach while championing the voices of those navigating illness and recovery.

Recognized for his advocacy and community impact, Darrell has been honored as a Union Plus Hometown Hero and is widely known for his work supporting cancer survivors, the performing arts community, and LGBTQIA+ leadership.

As Founder and Executive Director, Darrell leads the organization’s strategic vision, partnerships, and program development. His work is rooted in a simple belief: that art, empathy, and community can transform even the most difficult chapters of life into sources of strength and meaning.

Through Cues for Cancer, Darrell continues to build a movement where creativity becomes a language of resilience—and where every story, every voice, and every stage can carry hope forward.

Dr. Elissa Peterson serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Cues for Cancer, where she helps guide the organization’s strategic growth, governance, and mission-driven impact. Known for her thoughtful and principled approach to leadership, Dr. Peterson brings a deep commitment to service, community empowerment, and transformational personal development.

With professional credentials that include CMLC, CMP, CNHP, and ND, Dr. Peterson’s work spans coaching, holistic wellness, and leadership development. Her career centers on helping individuals and organizations unlock resilience, clarity, and purpose through intentional growth and compassionate leadership.

Dr. Peterson believes that leadership is rooted not in authority, but in stewardship—creating environments where people feel supported, respected, and empowered to grow. She often emphasizes that when individuals feel protected and valued, they gain the courage to think boldly, act with integrity, and trust one another more deeply.

As Board Chair, Dr. Peterson works closely with the Founder and Executive Director to help cultivate a strong governing board, establish sustainable organizational structures, and expand partnerships that support the nonprofit’s mission. Her leadership helps ensure that Cues for Cancer continues to grow as a creative and compassionate force supporting individuals and families impacted by cancer.

Dr. Peterson is honored to help steward an organization where the arts, storytelling, and community connection become pathways to healing, resilience, and hope.

Rishi Sood is a dynamic executive and entrepreneur who operates at the intersection of entertainment, culture, and strategic growth. He specializes in aligning artists, athletes, speakers, brands, and cultural platforms with mission-driven messaging and meaningful commercial outcomes. His work centers on structuring and executing strategic partnerships, marketing, sponsorships, and growth initiatives across entertainment, sports, health and wellness, academia, not-for-profits, technology, and emerging media — bringing together creative vision, commercial strategy, and long-term brand equity.

Previously, Rishi served as Head of Business Development at Music World Entertainment, the
powerhouse entertainment conglomerate behind some of culture’s most iconic acts and brands, with a legacy of 450 million+ records sold, 40+ Grammy Awards, and multiple #1 movie soundtracks.

Reporting directly to Music World Entertainment's President and Founder Dr. Mathew Knowles (entertainment executive, entrepreneur, author, professor, and father of Beyoncé and Solange), Rishi led digital and commercial strategy initiatives that transformed visibility impressions on social media from
approximately 135,000 per month to a peak of over 7,000,000 within seven months.

As a high-impact networker and relationship-builder, Rishi played a key role in the planning, development, and execution of strategic partnerships that expanded Music World Entertainment’s ecosystem, contributing directly to revenue growth, and outperforming all agents and speaker bureaus during the final 12 months of his tenure.

Rishi has also made an impact across both legacy media and viral content. His project The Fan Lockout gained nationwide media coverage in Canada and was featured on CBS Sports and Yahoo! Sports in the United States. He also collaborated with Fearless Motivation (4M+ YouTube subscribers) on the viral motivational hit “Comfort Zone,” written and performed by Rishi himself, a piece dubbed by the fandom as "the greatest motivational video ever."

His most recent initiatives have been featured by major outlets including Billboard, Forbes, People
Magazine, and Black Entertainment Television (BET).

With a track record of high-impact ventures, industry-shaping collaborations, and a long-term vision for cultural and commercial impact, Rishi Sood operates at the convergence of leadership, creativity, and transformation.

Phillip Killebrew, Jr. brings a deep passion for community growth and a proven track record of servant leadership to the team. A proud native of Portsmouth, Virginia, Phillip has dedicated his life to empowering and uplifting others, establishing a consistent footprint of community impact that spans over 15 years.

Professionally, Phillip is a highly accomplished Program Manager and Lead Engineer Planning Analyst for Newport News Shipbuilding, following an impactful tenure as a Requirements Officer for the Department of the Navy. Recognized for his professional excellence, he was named one of the top young business professionals in Hampton Roads with the Top Forty Under 40 Award. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering Operations Management from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Virginia State University.

Phillip's dedication to service is reflected in his expansive civic engagement, which includes serving as the Chief Officer of Elections for the Portsmouth Voting Registrar, working with the Hampton Roads Community Foundation’s Visionaries for Change giving circle, and mentoring minority students in STEM. Guided by a personal commitment to help those from disadvantaged backgrounds find their path to success, Phillip is honored to leverage his expertise in strategic execution and personnel leadership to support the mission of Cues for Cancer.

"Serving an organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting the community brings personal fulfillment to my ongoing commitment to others." — Phillip Killebrew, Jr.

Tod Addison is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and executive program manager with more than 30 years of leadership experience across complex military and federal organizations. He currently serves as an analyst and consultant with the U.S. Coast Guard, supporting enterprise-level evaluations, training, and organizational improvement initiatives.

Most recently, Tod served as the Equal Opportunity Program Manager for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, providing strategic HR guidance, diversity and inclusion policy oversight, and harassment-prevention leadership for more than 10,000 cadets, Soldiers, and civilian personnel. Prior to that, he commanded the U.S. Military Academy Band and co-founded West Point's Music Research Center, establishing cross-sector partnerships to advance research, training, and strategic communication for the Academy and the Army. Earlier assignments include Deputy Commander and Orchestra Director of the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" in Washington, D.C., and multiple senior leadership roles at the U.S. Army School of Music in Virginia Beach — where he modernized training pipelines, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and strengthened organizational culture through data-driven planning.

Before his military career, Tod was a public-school educator in North Carolina. Born in Washington, D.C. to a Navy family, he holds a Bachelor of Education from The Ohio State University and a Master of Education from East Carolina University, with advanced leadership certifications from the U.S. Army. Tod brings to nonprofit board service a deep commitment to ethical leadership, youth development, community engagement, and organizational excellence — and is a strong advocate for military veterans and their families.

Dr. Ann Berger completed her undergraduate degree with a B.S. in nursing from New York University, which was then followed by receiving a MSN in Oncology Nursing from
University of Pennsylvania. After working as an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist for several years, Dr. Berger completed her medical training at Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, Ohio. Following medical school, Dr. Berger completed an internship and
residency at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and a Fellowship in medical oncology and pain/palliative care at Yale University in Connecticut.

Dr. Berger has had over 35 years of experience in pain and palliative care. Most recently she was chief of pain and palliative care at National Institutes of Health, clinical center where she had patient care, education, administrative, and research
responsibilities.

Dr. Berger has also been co-chair of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical center wellness initiative for health care professionals and support staff. She was also intramural advisor for several scientific interest groups including the, psychedelic sig and religion and spirituality sig. Dr. Berger has lectured nationally and internationally.
She has won numerous awards for her pioneering work as a major leader in the fields of pain and palliative care.

Dr. Berger’s ground-breaking research has involved developing ways to measure psychosocial spiritual healing. Her other area of research has been the use of integrative modalities for wellness for health care professionals and others such as military and teachers. She has also published extensively (hundreds of journal articles, book chapters and over 20 books) in the field of pain and palliative care and wellness for health care providers.

Currently, Dr. Berger is an expert medical advisor and consultant in pain, palliative care and wellbeing, a special volunteer at the NIH, and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and University of Maryland.

Frederick Thompson is a seasoned Senior Sales Executive with over 20 years of extensive B2B experience, specializing in new business acquisition and revenue expansion across the SaaS, media, and service sectors. As a proven leader, Frederick has consistently exceeded revenue targets through a strategic sales approach, including self-generating pipelines and closing complex deals. His expertise lies in building trusted relationships with senior decision-makers, identifying their pain points, and delivering tailored solutions that drive substantial operational and financial value.

Most recently, Frederick served as a Renewals Manager, where he managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio, consistently achieving high renewal rates while expanding contract values. In his previous role as Sales & Marketing Director at Job Blast, he led revenue growth initiatives and successfully executed sales strategies, resulting in significant client retention and expansion.

Frederick is recognized for his ability to analyze market trends, develop competitive strategies, and lead high-performing teams. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Springfield College and is committed to ongoing professional growth in the sales domain.

Ashley Williams serves as Programmatic Advisor for Cues for Cancer, bringing a deep passion for storytelling, language, and the transformative power of the performing arts. With an academic background rooted in both English and theatre, Ashley helps guide the development of mission-driven programs that center creativity, expression, and community connection.

Ashley holds a Master of Arts in English from Valdosta State University and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre from Virginia Wesleyan University. Her studies and professional interests reflect a lifelong commitment to literature, performance, and the ways in which narrative can help individuals process experience, cultivate empathy, and find meaning during difficult chapters of life.

As Programmatic Advisor, Ashley works closely with the organization’s leadership to support program design, curriculum development, and community engagement initiatives, particularly those connected to the Creative Spark workshops and other arts-based programming. Her insight helps ensure that Cues for Cancer’s initiatives remain thoughtful, inclusive, and artistically grounded.

Drawing from both her academic training and her love for the stage, Ashley believes that stories—whether spoken, written, or performed—hold the power to illuminate resilience, foster connection, and remind us that no one walks their journey alone.

Through her advisory role, Ashley helps shape programs that invite individuals impacted by cancer to rediscover voice, creativity, and community through the arts.

Christina E. Craig serves as Advisor for Childhood Development and Family Wellness for Cues for Cancer, bringing compassionate insight and practical expertise to the organization’s mission of supporting individuals and families affected by cancer and serious illness.

As a Behavior Technician, Christina works closely with children and families to support developmental growth, emotional regulation, and positive behavioral outcomes. Her professional experience centers on helping young people navigate challenges with patience, structure, and encouragement while empowering families with tools that promote healthy communication and stability.

Within Cues for Cancer, Christina provides guidance on how programs and initiatives can thoughtfully support children, caregivers, and families navigating the emotional realities of illness. Her perspective helps ensure that the organization’s programs remain sensitive to the developmental needs of young people and that families feel supported as they move through complex experiences together.

Christina is particularly passionate about creating environments where children feel safe, understood, and empowered to express themselves, whether through conversation, creative activities, or shared family experiences. Her work reinforces the belief that healing and resilience grow strongest when families are supported as a whole.

Through her advisory role, Christina helps Cues for Cancer expand its ability to nurture compassionate, family-centered spaces where resilience, understanding, and hope can flourish.