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.

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.