Shayla Cowan is an award-winning, boundary-pushing producer and President of Collective Edge, a boutique management firm based in LA. Cowan founded Collective Edge in 2023 with a mission to unite an exclusive group of exceptionally talented individuals at the forefront of their artistry. Collective Edge is dedicated to creating a community of innovators who continuously push boundaries, inspire one another, and redefine what is possible.
Most recently, Cowan was chief-of-staff for Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media, managing and overseeing all operational activities for both companies, while advising Mr. Packer on the company’s marketing, communications, and business strategies which she will do in her role as President and Talent Manager. She was an integral part in the development and production of the company’s films, television shows, digital programming and other projects.
In 2022, Ms. Cowan and Mr. Packer were selected as Producers for the 2022 Academy Awards 94th Oscars Ceremony. They were the first African American producing team in Oscar history and received an Emmy Award nomination for Producers, Outstanding Variety Special Live.
Ms. Cowan’s producer credits include “Beast” starring Idris Elba for Universal, “Praise This” starring Chloe Bailey forPeacock, “Wendy Williams: The Movie” which aired on Lifetime in 2021 and was an Associate Producer for “Girls Trip,” “Night School,” “Little,” “What Men Want,” “Breaking In” and “Almost Christmas.” She also earned film credits for “Think Like a Man,” “Think Like a Man Too,” “Ride Along,” “Ride Along 2,” “No Good Deed,” “Wedding Ringer “ and“Straight Out of Compton.”
Ms. Cowan was named a Culture Creators 2021 Empowered Women honoree and is a Next Gem Femme mentor for the Femme It Forward program which is dedicated to the advancement of young women of color. She was awarded with, Innovative Woman Award in TV/Film , at the 2022 A Toast to Black Hollywood and recognized as a 2022 BronzeLensEmerging Behind the Lens Superstar! Ms. Cowan was recently inducted into the Boys and Girls Club of America Hall of Fame ‘Class of 2023’. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA