A Massachusetts resident, Darcy Cardarelli attended Haverhill High School, where she graduated second in a class of 500 seniors and earned multiple awards for academic excellence. Upon graduating, Darcy Cardarelli attended Dartmouth College, where she received a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Darcy Cardarelli began her career as a computer programmer with Boston-based John Hancock and was later promoted to manager of the company's payroll and human resources development team. Among other accomplishments, she earned a SPOT Award for Excellence during her 12-year tenure with the company. For the next 16 years, she worked for SOTAS International, during which time she rose from the manager of a team of programmers to vice president of all development. Eventually, she became president of the company.

Since leaving SOTAS in 2006, Ms. Cardarelli has focused on promoting cancer research and helping individuals who have lost loved ones to the disease. She is currently building a website, AlwaysHaveHeart.com, that will feature inspiring stories to help individuals with cancer and their families.

Darcy Cardarelli