Drew Shoals ’05

Drew Shoals ’05 is a member of the Whitman College Board of Trustees and the Upward Together Campaign Executive Committee. As a Trustee and formerly as Vice Chair of the President’s Advisory Board, a Whitman Fund Associate Class Representative and a Reunion Fund Co-Chair, Shoals has demonstrated the importance of giving back to the college through initiatives like the junior-senior residential village; Access and Affordability; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. As a student at Whitman, Shoals graduated cum laude in African American Studies and was a Paul Garrett Leadership Scholar. He also served as the Associated Students of Whitman College Vice President of Public Events and played drums in the Jazz Ensemble.

Following Whitman, Shoals earned a law degree at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. After practicing at firms in New York City and Seattle, since 2021 Shoals has worked as Corporate Counsel at Amazon Music, negotiating music, tech, and entertainment agreements with artists, record labels, and strategic partners, as well as advising on product launches. 

In addition to his legal career, Shoals worked as a professional musician, playing drums, recording and touring the world for several years with the multi-platinum, Grammy Award -winning pop-rock band Train. He resides in Seattle with his wife, Nicole, and their two children, Avery and Ruby.