In 2007, she met with then-Senator Barbara Boxer about global warming as part of a delegation from the Leadership Council, a Los Angeles County environmental issues group.

[14] In 2021, she joined Madelaine Albright and Governor Gretchen Whitmer at the National Democratic Institute in a campaign to mobilize the international community to end violence against women in politics.

[5][16][24] Bell was one of three ambassadorial nominees who, according to The Washington Post, came to "symbolize the problems with giving plum overseas diplomatic assignments to big political donors".

[26] In an article for Politico, James Bruno, a former U.S. career foreign service officer, noted that Bell "could not answer questions about the United States' strategic interests in Hungary".

[33] Speaking at an event held by the American Chamber of Commerce that month, Bell told a forum that transparency and predictability regarding Hungarian business laws and regulations are needed to attract U.S. investors to the country.

[36] Bell's comments in support of Ukraine were notable because her remarks to diplomats from NATO member states came as Russian President Vladimir Putin was visiting Budapest.

[39] Bell spoke to the press on September 30, stating that her embassy staff had been in regular contact with the Hungarian government, non-governmental organizations and the public on the migrant issue.

[40][41] According to Bell, in addition to information sharing and logistical help, her office gave direct aid to organizations such as the Hungarian Red Cross.

She also expressed concern over recent, potentially unfavorable developments in Hungary, including government corruption, a decline in press freedoms, and negative stereotypes with regard to refugees from Syria.

[42] Bell was awarded the Middle Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit for her work in strengthening the bilateral relationship between Hungary and the United States.