Colleen Bell

Colleen Bell
16th United States Ambassador to Hungary
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 16, 2014
President Barack Obama
Preceded by Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis
Personal details
Born Colleen Clark Bradley
January 30, 1967
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Bradley Bell
Alma mater Sweet Briar College (B.A.) University of St Andrews (JYA)
Occupation Television producer

Colleen Bradley Bell (born January 30, 1967) is an American television producer, philanthropist and advocate for the environment, arts and social causes. Bell resides in Los Angeles with her husband, television writer/producer Bradley Bell, and their four children. Bell has been confirmed to serve as the United States Ambassador to Hungary.

Early life and education

Bell was born in Evanston, IL to Sheila, a partner with an interior design firm, and Edward Bradley, a partner in the law firm of Bradley & Bradley.[1] She graduated with honors from Sweet Briar College with a bachelor’s degree in political economy, a dual major in political science and economics. She spent her junior year abroad at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

Producing career

Colleen Bell is a producer of The Bold and the Beautiful.[2] The Bold and the Beautiful, produced by Bell-Phillip Television Productions Inc., has won 40 Daytime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Drama Series in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Distinguished soap opera specialist

It is the world's most-watched soap opera, and can be viewed in over 100 countries. In May 2010, Guinness World Records named the show "Most Popular Daytime TV Soap - Current."[3]

Bell is active in the arts community as well as environmental and social nonprofit organizations.

Political career

Pres. Barack Obama named Bell, along with 9 others including Caroline Kennedy, as a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on August 31, 2012.[4][5][6] In February 2010, Colleen Bell was appointed by the President to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts for the Kennedy Center[7] and has served as the committee chair since April 2011.

Bell has been involved in several initiatives with the Natural Resources Defense Council. She is a founding member of the LA Leadership Council, Global Leadership Council and sits on the advisory board of Clean By Design,[8] an NRDC initiative to improve the environmental performance of the global textile supply chain. In June 2011 Bell co-chaired and spoke at the NRDC event celebrating World Oceans Day.[9]

Bell also serves on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA),[10] the Music Center[11] and the Rape Treatment Center at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica.[12] She is Vice Chair of the Children's Institute Inc.,[13] a nonprofit organization specializing in the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Founded in 1906, CII serves 20,000 Los Angeles County children and families each year.[14]

Bell has been politically active in her community and was selected as a California Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[15][16] As a member of the National Finance Committee for Obama 2012, Ms. Bell hosted two events at her home on February 15, 2012 including a performance by the Grammy Award Winning Foo Fighters and a private dinner.[17][18][19] The proceeds from both events went to the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee authorized by Obama for America and the Democratic National Committee. In September The New York Times reported that Bell is one of Obama's top bundlers.[20][21]

Ambassadorial appointment to Hungary secured by cloture in the US Senate

On November 6, 2013, Pres. Obama announced his intent to nominate Ms. Bell as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary. [22]The nomination was controversial and Senator John McCain called her "totally unqualfied".[23] On December 1, 2014, the U.S. Senate voted 50-36 to invoke cloture on Bell's nomination, thus cutting off a Republican-led filibuster.[24] On December 2, 2014, the Senate voted 52-42 to confirm Bell.[25] Bell faced criticisms from Republicans, led by McCain, and commentators over her perceived lack of expertise on Hungary and its current geopolitical situation, as well as for the political nature of her appointment.[26][27]

Personal life

Bell married Bradley Bell on October 4, 1991.[1] They have four children. She is the daughter-in-law of Lee Phillip Bell and William J. Bell.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Colleen Bradley, Bradley Bell Wed", Chicago Tribune, March 28, 2012
  2. ↑ Bold and the Beautiful Credits, December 7, 2012
  3. ↑ "Guinness World Records Names Bold and the Beautiful "Most Popular Daytime TV Soap"", Guinness World Records, March 28, 2012
  4. ↑ "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts", The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, August 31, 2012
  5. ↑ "Caroline Kennedy, David Bohnett named Kennedy Center trustees", Los Angeles Times, August 31, 2012
  6. ↑ "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts", PoliticalNews.me, September 1, 2012
  7. ↑ "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 2/26/10", The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, March 28, 2012
  8. ↑ "Responsible Sourcing for the Textile Industry ", The Natural Resources Defense Council, March 28, 2012
  9. ↑ Frances Beinecke, "Celebrating the Oceans", The Natural Resources Defense Council, March 28, 2012
  10. ↑ "Overview: Board of Trustees", The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, March 28, 2012
  11. ↑ "About: Board of Directors", The Music Center, March 28, 2012
  12. ↑ Rob Fenn, "Inner-city Arts Honors Colleen Bell, Soraya Sarah Nazarian and Dream Works Animation Skg at the 2011 Imagine Gala", Beverly Hills Times, March 28, 2012
  13. ↑ "About CII: Board of Trustees", Children's Institute, Inc., March 28, 2012
  14. ↑ "About CII", Children's Institute, Inc., Nov. 26, 2012
  15. ↑ "Showbiz Figures Among Delegates to DNC", Variety, Aug. 8, 2012
  16. ↑ "2012 Convention Delegates", Democratic National Committee, 2012
  17. ↑ David Jackson, "Obama: Recovery has been a 'steep' climb", USA Today, March 28, 2012
  18. ↑ Anna Almendrala, "Obama In Los Angeles On February 15, 2012: Full Itinerary & Map", Huffington Post, March 28, 2012
  19. ↑ Charlie Spiering, "Another lavish Hollywood cash dash for Obama" Washington Examiner, March 28, 2012
  20. ↑ "Obama’s Top Fund-Raisers", The New York Times, September 13, 2012
  21. ↑ "Political races tap the clout of Hollywood power women", Variety, Oct. 4, 2012
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ "Soap Opera Producer Is Now an Ambassador and John McCain Isn't Happy", ABC News, Dec. 2, 2014
  24. ↑ http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=2&vote=00292
  25. ↑ http://www.periodicalpress.senate.gov/
  26. ↑ "John McCain Fights, Loses Good Fight Against Bundler-Ambassadors". Bloomberg. 2014-12-02. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  27. ↑ "When Big Money Leads To Diplomatic Posts". NPR. 2014-12-03. Retrieved 2014-12-04.

External links

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis		 United States Ambassador to Hungary
2014–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent