Maria Arena Bell (born March 10, 1963) is an American novelist, television and freelance writer. She is the former head writer and executive producer of the CBS Daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. Biography Maria Arena Bell grew up in Newport Beach, California. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Northwestern University and did post graduate work in 19th Century Art. She began her career as a fashion designer for a major Los Angeles based garment manufacturer. In 1988, writer William J. Bell hired Maria Arena for the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful (1987). There, she created the character of Sally Spectra who was loosely based on her step-father who worked in the Los Angeles garment industry. After leaving The Bold and the Beautiful, Maria Arena Bell developed television formats for CBS and NBC. She also worked as an essayist for publications such as "T" the New York Times Style Magazine, "C" Magazine, Aspen Magazine, and Aspen Peak Magazine Bell returned to daytime television in December 2007 and was ultimately named sole head writer and became one of the show's executive producers alongside Paul Rauch. In 2011, she was awarded a Daytime Emmy Award alongside her writing team, in addition to a total of six nominations as writer and producer on the show. After her departure from The Young and the Restless, Bell founded the production company Vitameatavegamin Productions. She is a professor at Harvard University in their Extension Program. She is involved philanthropically in arts education organizations and is the former chair of PS Arts, The Museum of Contemporary Art and for a decade Americans For The Arts National Arts Awards and other organizations. Credits The Bold and the Beautiful (credited as Maria Arena) Script Writer: 1989–1992 Fashion Consultant: 1989 The Young and the Restless Script Writer: 1990-92 Co-head writer: December 26, 2007 - April 21, 2008 (with Josh Griffith) (chose financial core status during the WGA strike) Head writer: April 22, 2008 – October 22, 2012 (with Hogan Sheffer: 7/15/08-10/22/12) (with Scott Hamner: 8/11/08-10/22/12) (with Josh Griffith: 10/11/12-10/22/12) Co-Executive Producer (with Paul Rauch: October 3, 2008 – May 10, 2011) Executive Producer May 11, 2011 – October 22, 2012 Personal life Bell is married to Bill Bell Jr., the eldest son of Y&R creators William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. They have two children. Awards The Young and the