Leggs is no stranger to the organization, having started his career there as a graduate intern over two decades ago. In 2017, he founded the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, which grew under his leadership into the country’s largest preservation resource of its kind. His work at the fund focused on elevating marginalized narratives, a mission he now intends to scale across the entirety of the National Trust.

Phoebe Tudor, chair of the Board of Trustees, credited Leggs with shifting the national discourse on how historic sites contribute to community resilience and economic development. The appointment comes at a time when the organization is navigating complex debates regarding which historical sites deserve protection and how they should be interpreted for the public. Carol Quillen, who held the position since January 2024, is credited with expanding the Trust’s visibility and stakeholder engagement during her tenure.

Looking ahead, Leggs emphasized that his leadership will focus on ensuring that the American story remains expansive and inclusive. While he transitions to the helm of the parent organization, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund will continue its operations as a division of the Trust, managed by its existing senior team. Darren Walker, co-chair of the Action Fund’s National Advisory Council, expressed confidence that Leggs will bring the same mission-driven innovation to the broader organization that he demonstrated while building the Action Fund.