08/07/2026
Introducing judge #1 for Miss Connecticut Volunteer & Connecticut Teen Volunteer, Ashley McClain ✨
Ashley McClain is the Founder and Executive Director of Beyond the Horizon, Inc. and the creator of LINKED – Autism Safety Project. A graduate of the University of New Haven with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration, Ashley’s professional background includes social work, community advocacy, and more than a decade in higher education.
Following her son’s Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis in 2020, Ashley dedicated herself to improving safety, accessibility, and inclusion for individuals with disabilities and their families. In 2023, she founded LINKED – Autism Safety Project to provide accredited disability awareness training, consultation, and resources for first responders and community organizations. She also launched Beyond the Horizon, Inc., a Connecticut nonprofit that offers sensory-friendly and adaptive programming while fostering inclusive communities throughout the state.
Ashley serves as an appointed Council Member for the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities and is a certified instructor through the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council and the Connecticut Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), providing accredited training to first responders across Connecticut.
Beyond her advocacy work, Ashley has extensive experience in the pageant industry as a former contestant, business manager, executive director, choreographer, and state board member. She is also the Head Coach of the University of New Haven Dance Team, which was recently crowned National Champions at the College Classic National Competition.
Ashley lives in North Branford, Connecticut, with her husband, Josh, and their two children, Leigha and Colton. Her personal and professional experiences continue to fuel her passion for creating safer, more inclusive communities where individuals of all abilities can thrive.
