ABOUT US

Austley is a communications-driven marketing consultancy and coaching studio helping startups, small businesses, and lean teams grow with clarity, confidence, and smarter systems.

We support both brands and the people behind them—through strategic consulting, AI-powered coaching, and resources that meet modern marketers where they are.

We believe marketing should be message-led and human-first—and that AI should help amplify your work, not complicate it.

Whether you’re a founder doing it all, a comms or marketing leader building your team, or a freelancer scaling your solo business, Austley is here to help you standout, streamline your work, and move with intention.

Who We Work With

We’re built for:

• Startups figuring it out as they go
• Small businesses ready to level up
• Lean teams doing the work of five people
• Founders leading their own marketing
• Consultants and solopreneurs scaling smart
• Marketing & comms professionals ready to embrace AI
  

What We Do

• We help you shape your message, share it widely, and make it matter—through strategy, PR, content, and campaigns that drive results.
• Communications-first marketing and PR support
• AI-powered coaching for marketers, solopreneurs, and women ready to grow without burning out.
• Workshops, audits, and implementation support to help your team actually use AI

Why Choose Us

We don’t believe in bloated decks, buzzwords, or one-size-fits-all solutions.

We believe in real partnership, meeting you where you are, understanding how you work, and helping you move forward with clarity, confidence, and the right systems to support your growth.

You don’t need a big team to make a big impact.

You just need the right support.

Leah M. Dergachev is the founder of Austley, a communications-first consultancy and coaching studio helping brands and professionals communicate clearly, market with purpose, and grow sustainably using the right blend of strategy, storytelling, and AI.

She is also the founder of The MarComm Grind, a free community for marketers and communicators navigating real-world challenges with limited resources and big goals. Through shared tools, honest conversations, and ongoing peer support, Leah brings people together to grow stronger, smarter, and more connected in their work.

Leah's approach centers on one belief: impactful marketing starts with clarity. As a strategist and storyteller, she helps teams shape meaningful messages and build systems that support growth without adding complexity. Her work spans brand positioning, internal communications, campaign strategy, content operations, and AI integration.

With a background in public relations, marketing, and business strategy, Leah has served as a trusted advisor to founders, CEOs, and lean teams looking to scale without burning out. She is known for delivering practical solutions that are thoughtful, custom-built, and grounded in real-world application.

As a woman and minority-owned business leader, Leah is committed to helping other women and underrepresented professionals thrive. Through Austley's AI coaching studio, she supports consultants, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to streamline their services, expand their impact, and grow profitable businesses on their own terms.

Leah also partners with marketing and communications teams to bring AI into their everyday work. Through workflow audits, hands-on training, and playbook development, she helps organizations implement systems that boost productivity and protect creative thinking.

Her passion for education extends to the classroom, where she speaks at universities and mentors emerging marketing and communications professionals. Leah is especially focused on bridging the gap in AI adoption by making it more approachable, equitable, and human-centered.

Leah holds a BA in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, an MA in Public Relations and Marketing from the University of Denver, and an MBA from Louisiana State University. She is a two-time recipient of international Gold AVA Digital Awards, a past President of PRSA National Capital Chapter, and was named one of PRNEWS' 2024 Top Women Entrepreneurs.

At the heart of Leah’s work is a deep respect for people, process, and purpose. Through Austley, she continues to create space for brands and professionals to grow with intention and communicate with confidence.