Spotlight Magellan: Get to know Crystal Bell!

Spotlight Magellan gives colleagues and those we collaborate with the opportunity to get to know Magellan employees through facilitated interviews that explore their personal interests and the meaningful work happening across Magellan. Through intentional engagement, Spotlight Magellan fosters a sense of community and connection, and highlights the impact demonstrated by individuals in their roles at Magellan.

This month, we’re getting to know Crystal Bell, senior manager, IT corporate solutions.

Continue reading to learn more about Crystal:

Describe a typical workday in your life.  

No two days are exactly alike in my role, which is one of the things I enjoy most. Most mornings start with a cup of coffee and a review of priorities across our corporate technology portfolio. I check in on the health of key platforms and other business systems while staying close to project progress, budgets, risks, timelines and vendor relationships.

Throughout the day, I spend time partnering with business leaders, vendors and our sourcing team to evaluate technology solutions, solidify contracts and explore new capabilities. I also monitor workflow and tickets to work with teams to resolve issues and requests in our RITA and VERN systems and those that make their way through Teams. Occasionally, audits find their way into my day.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job, though, is supporting my team. I genuinely enjoy mentoring, coaching and helping people grow in their careers. Whether it’s celebrating accomplishments, encouraging new skills, providing guidance through challenges or creating opportunities for cross-training, I take pride in building a strong team that supports one another and continues to learn and evolve together.

At the end of the day, my role is really about connecting people, processes and technology—helping the organization move forward while empowering my team to do their best work.

What is your favorite thing to do during your time off?

I love spending time outdoors and being creative. You’ll often find me riding my bike, kayaking or enjoying the beach and the ocean whenever I get the chance. I’m also an active artist and enjoy creating mosaics and painting—it’s a great way for me to relax and express my creativity.

Most importantly, I cherish spending time with my family and traveling to new places. And when I’m looking for a quieter moment, there’s nothing better than settling in with a good book and getting lost in a great story.

It’s a mix of adventure, creativity, family and a little bit of peaceful downtime that helps me recharge and stay inspired.

Do you have any pets? Tell us about their quirky personality traits and share a picture!

Absolutely! I have a six-pound yorkie-poo named Tori, and she’s been my little sidekick. For such a tiny dog, she has a huge personality.

If I give her a food she’s not interested in, she’ll simply refuse to eat it and give me the “stare”. And to prove her point, she’ll take matters into her own paws by carrying her kibble one piece at a time and strategically placing it next to one of us as to say you eat it.

She’s also very clear about her expectations when it comes to affection. If you’re giving her a good head rub and stop before she’s ready, she’ll immediately start nudging your hand as if to say, “Excuse me, I’m not finished being pampered yet!”

Tori goes just about everywhere with me. She even joins me on bike rides in her little backpack carrier, which she absolutely loves. Whether we’re exploring outdoors or relaxing at home, she’s always happiest when she’s with her people.

She’s funny, stubborn, affectionate and endlessly entertaining, and I honestly can’t imagine life without her.

What do you like best about your current position?

What I enjoy most about my role is the variety, every day brings something different. I love that I’m constantly learning, whether it’s about new technologies, different parts of the business or new ways to solve challenges. There’s always an opportunity to grow and expand my perspective.

I also have the privilege of working with incredibly talented people across the organization. The relationships I’ve built are one of the things I value most about my job. I can never go without mentioning my team who makes my job worth having.

Perhaps most importantly, I believe in Magellan’s mission and the purpose behind what we do. Knowing that our work ultimately supports individuals and families during some of the most important moments in their lives, gives me a strong sense of purpose.

The combination of meaningful work, continuous learning and great people makes it a role I truly enjoy.

What is your biggest strength?

I create an environment where my team can succeed by providing clear direction (as best as we can), removing obstacles and encouraging both personal and professional growth. I coach team members through challenges, align their work with business priorities and empower them to make confident decisions. I recognize accomplishments, encourage cross-training and continuous learning and help individuals develop skills that prepare them for future opportunities.

What is the best career advice that you have received or have learned through your own experiences?

Believing that successful leadership is measured not only by the projects we deliver, but by the confidence, capability and growth we inspire in the people who deliver them.