Leah M. Dergachev Email & Phone Number

At Austley, we're not just in the business of marketing; we're in the business of making your message matter. As Chief Storyteller and Principal, I lead our team in blending the art of communication with the science of marketing. Think of us as your brand's best friend who also happens to be a data nerd. We turn data into compelling stories that captivate and convert.As the driving force behind Austley, I work side-by-side with the team in crafting strategies beyond traditional marketing by ensuring we embed authentic stories into our efforts. We're not just about creating brand buzz; we're about building meaningful connections between brands and their audiences.We leverage all elements of the marketing mix to amplify your brand's voice.✅ We amplify brand voices through strategic PR and media campaigns✅ We develop content that captivates and converts across all channels✅ We transform executives into influential industry voices✅ We turn potential crises into opportunities for brand strengthening✅ We align internal communications to boost brand advocacy from within✅ We engineer digital strategies that drive real engagement and growth✅ We build brands that don't just sell products, but tell compelling stories✅ We position companies as true thought leaders, not just market players✅ We create community engagement strategies that foster genuine loyalty✅ We integrate cutting-edge digital marketing with rock-solid operational foundationsMy role is to ensure that every marketing initiative we undertake isn't just creative but strategically sound. We're here to cut through the noise, turn data into narratives, and ultimately, make your brand impossible to ignore.

The Marcomm Grind is a community of marketing and communications professionals who have mastered the art of maximizing impact with minimal resources. We've built our success on being highly resourceful, consistently turning constraints into catalysts for creativity and success.

New York, Ny, Us

Chief is the only organization specifically designed for the most powerful women executives to strengthen their leadership, magnify their influence, and pave the way to bring others with them.

Columbus, Oh, Us

Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer and serving as an integral member of the marketing leadership team, develops integrated strategies that tell Olive's story to shape the way stakeholders perceive and engage with Olive. Serves as a senior adviser and spokesperson for the company, the executive team, and the marketing organization, and plays a pivotal role in further evolving the corporate and brand narrative for Olive.Manages external PR agencies day-to-day. Keeping them accountable to OKRs and helping ideate and implement short- and long-term PR and media plans. Develops compelling content by contributing to press releases, company statements, Q&A/talking points, briefings, award nominations, social media, and media pitches.Serves as counselor to the executive team on communications, marketing, digital, social, and corporate reputation issues.

Columbus, Oh, Us

Develops tactical communications plans, including organizing and defining messages, creating, and executing communications strategies to position technology and healthcare clients to achieve short and long-term goals. - Successfully drove and enhanced brand recognition by creating diverse content, resulting in a 25% increase in brand visibility across traditional and digital channels.- Served as a trusted communications advisor to executive leadership and business units, providing strategic guidance and support for reputation management and crisis communications, reducing potential negative impacts by 50%.- Spearheaded the creation of persuasive and engaging content for various communication channels, increasing website traffic by 40% and social media engagement by 25%.- Built and nurtured strong relationships with external stakeholders, including media outlets and industry influencers, resulting in a 30% increase in positive media coverage and partnership opportunities.- Implemented best practices for writing, editing, and proofreading, ensuring 100% accuracy and consistency in all corporate communications materials.- Conducted regular audits of internal and external communications, identifying potential risks to the client’s reputation and implementing proactive measures to mitigate these risks, achieving a 60% decrease in negative incidents.

Arlington, Va, Us

As a key executive leader reporting directly to the CEO, successfully built and led the marketing and communications function, encompassing public relations, creative, print and digital media, social media, and internal communications. Leadership efforts led to achieving a 30% increase in overall brand visibility and consistency across all channels. Also served as an advisor to patient advocacy groups, ensuring a 25% increase in patient representation in communications activities.

Washington, Dc, Us

Led a five-person team responsible for the successful development of reputation management and crisis communication strategies that resulted in a 35% increase in trust in clients' brands, fortified reputations, and strengthened relationships. Mentored clients in crisis preparedness and counsel, assisting them during difficult times and effectively managing remediation and recovery, leading to a 25% improvement in crisis resolution.

Supervised the continuous improvement and integration of essential resources, including websites and social media platforms, and proactively developed new competencies and features as needed, leading to a 20% increase in digital engagement and user satisfaction.Defined, simplified, and disseminated team protocols, ensuring that the team's tasks and practices are transparent, straightforward, and replicable, leading to a 10% increase in team efficiency and a 15% reduction in process-related errors.

Collaborated with health, technology, non-profit and government teams to develop and drive communication strategies focused on national and local earned media, thought leadership, and surround sound amplification. This led to a 30% increase in critical stakeholder engagement.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

As a key player in the Medicare Communications team, developed and managed consumer marketing strategies for IBX marketing, supporting the fast-growing Medicare business line. This resulted in a 20% increase in consumer engagement. Designed integrated communications campaigns while collaborating with internal departments and agencies to strategize, plan, and deliver impactful campaigns.

Landover, Maryland, Us

Provided vital communications support for the life sciences, educational, and medical sectors as an integral part of the communications team. Worked closely with business leads to develop and implement communication strategies that built positive awareness of the business's capabilities, leading to a 25% increase in recognition among critical government and external audiences.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

Master Of Science - Ms, Pr & Marketing

Certificate Of Journalism

Bachelors Of Science, Communications Media And Journalism