About Our Founder
AJé English is the Founder of Project MS SHIFT and a public servant dedicated to advancing equity, innovation, and community impact across Delaware. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 32, she transformed her lived experience into a mission-driven commitment to expanding education, resources, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by MS.
With more than a decade of leadership across government, nonprofit operations, and public administration, AJé serves as Financial Controller for Wilmington City Council and is an elected School Board Member for the Red Clay Consolidated School District. She previously served in the Office of Mayor Purzycki for the City of Wilmington as Best Practices & Innovation Specialist, leading data-driven initiatives, securing grant funding, and advancing strategic reforms to improve service delivery.
Above all, AJé is a mother, a role that grounds her leadership in empathy, resilience, and a long-term vision for the communities and systems shaping the next generation.
Our Story
At 32, shortly after celebrating her son’s fourth birthday, AJé English was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The diagnosis was life-altering, but instead of retreating, she responded with action.
As she navigated her new reality, AJé saw clear gaps in local awareness, education, and support for people living with MS in Delaware. Too many individuals were facing the disease without coordinated resources or visible community backing. She decided that needed to change.
Project MS SHIFT was born from that conviction.
More than an organization, Project MS SHIFT is a focused movement dedicated to expanding access to resources, strengthening education, and elevating bold awareness across Delaware’s MS community. It transforms isolation into connection and uncertainty into informed action.
AJé turned her personal diagnosis into a platform for collective impact, building a rallying point for hope, advocacy, and measurable change.
Project MS SHIFT is not just about living with MS.
It’s about reshaping how Delaware responds to it.
Be part of the SHIFT.
Founding Advisory Members
Project MS SHIFT’s Founding Advisory Members are individuals with lived experience, professional insight, and a shared commitment to advancing support, education, and awareness for the MS community in Delaware. As trusted advisors, they help inform strategy, elevate community voices, and ensure that Project MS SHIFT’s work remains responsive, inclusive, and impact-driven. Their guidance strengthens the organization’s mission while reinforcing its commitment to collaboration, advocacy, and meaningful change.
Founding Advisory Member
Fred Sears
A sixth generation Wilmington native, he brings decades of leadership across banking, public service, and nonprofit sectors. His 38 year banking career culminated as Regional President of Commerce Bank Delaware, alongside service as Wilmington’s Finance and Economic Development Director and two terms on City Council. He later served as CEO of the Delaware Community Foundation and continues to hold leadership roles across multiple nonprofit and civic boards. A recipient of numerous honors, including the Marvel Cup and induction into the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame, he remains actively engaged in advancing economic development and community impact across Delaware.
Founding Advisory Member
Bristina Pearson
A licensed cosmetologist, salon owner, and cosmetology school owner, she is a mother of five living with Multiple Sclerosis. Diagnosed in 2019, she has chosen to meet MS with resilience and purpose, using her lived experience to inspire and empower others.
She is the founder of BBC Beauty Academy School in Pennsylvania, which offers a Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) program supporting individuals with disabilities in pursuing careers in the beauty industry. She also owns Lord Make Me Over, a Delaware-based salon that exemplifies her belief that disability does not disqualify purpose. Through her work, she helps shift mindsets, build confidence, and model what is possible while living with MS.
Founding Advisory Member
William "Will" Terry
A retired military veteran born and raised in New York City, he has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to service and community impact. Following his military career, he spent 16 years in the mental health field, including over five years as a clinician supporting individuals through complex challenges. Since 2004, he has also dedicated his time to workforce development, helping individuals navigate education and employment pathways.
Today, he works across communities in Delaware to expand access to education and meaningful career opportunities. His commitment to MS awareness is deeply personal, having lost both his uncle and cousin to multiple sclerosis, an experience that continues to fuel his advocacy, compassion, and purpose.