Crystal Hugger, BBA, MBA, MHCM
Crystal Hugger, BBA, MBA, MHCM is a seasoned administrative and payroll professional with over 20 years of experience building a diverse career across healthcare, government, and corporate sectors. Currently serving as a Clinical Administrator at Lighthouse Autism Center, Crystal oversees staffing, time management, PTO, and inventory to ensure the clinic operates efficiently and provides high-quality care to children. Her extensive career began as an opening shift manager at McDonald’s, and progressed through multiple administrative and executive roles at the Illinois Secretary of State, where she gained years of experience managing operations, supervising staff, and coordinating statewide audits. She later transitioned to UF Health Jacksonville, serving in patient relations, legal billing, and executive administration for the pediatrics unit, collaborating closely with doctors, nurses, and patients’ families.
Crystal’s expertise also includes her tenure as a county administrator for the Macon County Board, where she coordinated agendas, managed board meetings, and liaised with officials ranging from sheriffs to EMTs, before joining Archer Daniels Midland as a payroll specialist handling garnishments, levies, and compliance reporting. Her education reflects her dedication to continuous growth, holding a Bachelor’s in Accounting and two Master’s degrees in Business Administration, focused on healthcare and human resources, all from American InterContinental University. She is currently contemplating completing her doctoral studies to further expand her professional knowledge and leadership capabilities.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Crystal is deeply proud of her personal journey as a single mother. She raised her children while starting her career at minimum wage, demonstrating resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to achieving her goals. She is passionate about empowering women, often encouraging them to take charge of their careers and pursue their ambitions without waiting for external support. Crystal’s career is a testament to her work ethic, leadership, and dedication to helping organizations thrive while making a meaningful impact on the people she serves.
• Developing Self-Awareness
• Holding Yourself Accountable (2017)
• PowerPoint: Designing Better Slides
• PowerPoint Essential Training (Microsoft 365) (2023)
• Excel: Introduction to Formulas and Functions
• PowerPoint: Eight Easy Ways to Make Your Presentation Stand Out
• Excel: VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP for Beginners
• Excel: PivotTables for Beginners
• Excel Essential Training (Microsoft 365)
• Understanding and Prioritizing Data Privacy
• Privacy, Governance, and Compliance: Data Sharing
• American InterContinental University - MBA
• American InterContinental University - BBA
• Delta Mu Delta
• House of Faith COGIC
• Food Pantry Volunteer at Trinity Church
What do you attribute your success to?
Hard work, persistence and continuing education while raising her children as a single mother; determination to improve her situation despite starting in minimum-wage roles.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Learn as much as
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't wait like I did, in my 40s, to decide what you wanted to do, especially as far as getting an education. While you got a chance, do it now, don't wait. I probably could have been owning my own business by now if I had just gone after what I wanted to do in life. I tell these women all the time: don't sit around waiting on somebody to give you free handouts, get out there and get it yourself. It can be done. I did this, going back to school and everything, as a single mom, raising my boys on my own, working at McDonald's making minimum wage with no child support. If I can do it, it can be done.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges: economic constraints that can delay further education; funding and affordability for professional visibility or program participation; operational issues in clinical care such as staffing, scheduling and ensuring one-to-one care.
Opportunities: entrepreneurship later in life (has formed an LLC and is working toward starting a business) and platforms that amplify women’s professional visibility.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Education, perseverance, self-reliance and supporting the next generation of women to pursue their dreams.