Our Expert Team
Our Expert Team
Aviva Weiss, MS, OTR/L
Founder and CEO
Aviva Weiss, MS, OTR/L
Founder and CEO
aviva@funandfunction.com
Aviva Weiss is the co-founder and CEO of Fun and Function, the award-winning company dedicated to realizing each child's fullest potential. This inspiring vision was born out of frustration: Aviva and her husband Haskel couldn't find kid-friendly sensory tools for their family's special needs and decided to create their own to help every family. As the CEO and Creative Director, Aviva works with a team of therapists, educators and artists and designs the company's innovative toys, games, clothing and therapy equipment to build skills and self-esteem for children of every ability. Each design integrates high quality and play value at an affordable price.
Aviva has successfully expanded the product line for home, school and travel, supporting the diverse needs of families and educators as well as therapy clinics, hospitals, military bases and community organizations. Aviva is sought-after for her expertise in creating inclusive environments where all children can thrive together. She is collaborating with schools nationwide to implement her learning program, The Active Mind School Partnership.
Prior to launching her company, Aviva worked at leading institutions including Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher's Hospital. She serves on the advisory board of Salus University's Occupational Therapy Program, and mentors occupational therapy students and entrepreneurs. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Touro College and her Masters in Occupational Therapy from The Richard Stockton College, graduating summa cum laude from both programs. Aviva thrives on the challenges of running a business, and loves being the mom of eight wonderful children.
Aviva has been featured in Inc. Magazine, the Washington Post, and Fox TV and is available for public speaking engagements.
Haskel Weiss
COO
Haskel Weiss
COO
haskel@funandfunction.com
As COO of Fun and Function, Haskel is a business jack of all trades and then some. He nurtures the overall business strategy for Fun and Function, manages technology and workflow operations, and has oversight of financial, import, and legal operations. Haskel has the rare gift of being able to take care of business hyper efficiently: he listens to stakeholders, gains consensus, and takes action all within the span of a two minute conference call.
Haskel is always seeking out and utilizing only the top vendors and suppliers for Fun and Function products, as he is passionate about his role of scouting and managing product sourcing. His background in education and his involvement in real estate (the supervision of acquisitions, financing and management of properties) has given him the focus, acuity, and vision necessary to manage the day-to-day operations of Fun and Function. All that experience also helps make him a superbly talented father of eight, too!
Dr. Kathy Klein
Education and Research
Dr. Kathy Klein
Education and Research
kklein@funandfunction.com
An expert in learning design, Kathy creates innovative training programs to educate and achieve desired learning outcomes for Fun and Function. In addition, she is a contributor to product and app development. A dynamic speaker and experienced pediatric occupational therapist, Kathy presents nationally, sharing educational practices, effective sensory strategies and evidence-based practices. One of her passions is integrating technology with learning experiences. Kathy is widely respected for her scholarship. Her experiences in academia span nearly 20 years and include positions as an Associate Professor and Interim Director of the Center for Learning Design. Kathy previously served as the Director of Professional Development for the American Occupational Therapy Association. She received her doctoral degree in occupational therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center. The proud mother of two amazing sons, Kathy balances career and home with the help of her husband Mike who is also a pediatric occupational therapist!
Adina Steinberg, OTR/L
Product Development
Adina Steinberg, OTR/L
Product Development
asteinberg@funandfunction.com
A pediatric occupational therapist, Adina develops new products to help children with unique learning styles and developmental challenges.She uses multimedia to demonstrate how to adapt strategies for home and school life. In addition, she administers the Fun and Function ActiveMindTM continuing education program for therapists and educators.
Adina strongly believes that continuing education is vital, and keeps you current on best practices. She says, "Understanding each population through many different lenses helps you be creative in your approach to treatment." Previously, Adina managed a varied caseload in school and home settings, providing evaluation, consulting and treatment.
Rivkie Berger, OTR/L
Product Education
Rivkie Berger, OTR/L
Product Education
rberger@funandfunction.com
A skilled trainer, Rivkie educates our customers in best practices and therapeutic activities for sensory spaces. She also teaches our employees about sensory needs and how to guide customers to the appropriate sensory solutions. An experienced occupational therapist, Rivkie is passionate about recognizing and supporting sensory integration needs in children and adults. She has served as a lead OT in classrooms for children with autism and an OT/PT supervisor in an early childhood center. Rivkie earned her degree in occupational therapy at SUNY Downstate. A mom of three, Rivkie knows the daily challenges of life with kids as well as practical strategies that work.
Goldie Grossman, Ed.D.
Product Safety
Goldie Grossman, Ed.D.
Product Safety
ggrossman@funandfunction.com
Goldie develops educational resources that help families, schools and communities thrive. She is committed to providing our customers with smart strategies ranging from sensory activity guides to grant support materials. Conscientious and thorough, Goldie builds comprehensive systems to ensure that every product meets or exceeds safety requirements and includes consumer guidelines for safe use. Her thoughtful approach to educational trends, commitment to children’s wellbeing, and passion for lifelong learning contributed to her success in previous roles as a school administrator. Goldie earned her Master’s in Special Education from Brooklyn College and her doctoral degree in Educational Supervision and Administration from Azrieli Graduate School at Yeshiva University. She lives in New Jersey and loves reading classics with her children.
Elisheva Schreiber
Sales
Elisheva Schreiber
Sales
eschreiber@funandfunction.com
Elisheva leads our sales team with expertise and empathy. She models our values of listening, developing effective solutions, and going above and beyond to meet each customer's needs. Whether it’s a sensory room or a complex set of goals, customers rely on Elisheva’s creativity to execute their vision. She and the sales team build long-term relationships with schools, businesses and communities. Idealistic yet pragmatic, Elisheva is committed to enabling individuals to reach their fullest potential. She demonstrates a keen understanding of children and teens, reflecting her experience in both formal and informal educational settings. A dedicated mom, Elisheva appreciates the impact of hidden disabilities and she is passionate about creating a more inclusive world.
Daniela Weiss
Marketing
Daniela Weiss
Marketing
daniela@funandfunction.com
Daniela is an award-winning marketing consultant with over twenty years of experience. She has directed brand-building and multimedia campaigns for Fortune 500 companies as well as startups and nonprofit institutions.
Daniela’s catalyst for starting her marketing business was her three year old daughter, who thought her mother’s corporate job involved a bit too much travel and time away from home. Now, at ten years old, Daniela’s daughter is her MVP, and a proud member of the kid-testing team at Fun and Function. She contributes ideas and critique of product development, packaging and marketing. Though Daniela's daughter doesn't have special needs, she enjoys playing Fun and Function games with friends, and uses some of the tools to survive and thrive during the school day. Right now, she's aggressively lobbying for her school to install an Action Room and Chillspa Room....stay tuned!
Mindy Baum
Finance
Mindy Baum
Finance
mbaum@funandfunction.com
A logistics whiz, Mindy masterminds our production of sensory products that change lives. Mindy collaborates with our team of therapists and educators to bring their ideas to market, and deliver the best sensory solutions to our customers. Astute and discerning, she builds relationships with our trusted vendors to ensure safety and quality. Mindy’s diverse background includes computer science, bookkeeping and hands-on experience as a mom of kids with special needs. Her youngest daughter is a proud model of sensory products for Fun and Function.
Angela Song Wang
EdTech
Angela Song Wang
EdTech
awang@funandfunction.com
Angela’s primary focus is developing Kyn by Kyndred, Fun and Function’s wearable that helps kids develop healthy habits. She is passionate about leveraging technology to augment learning, and uses applied research to achieve the best outcomes for learners. With her expertise in product design, business development and learning theories, she is uniquely suited to impact the edtech space. Angela graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master’s degree in Learning Sciences and Technologies.
Malkie Ward, OTR/L
Product Development
Malkie Ward, OTR/L
Product Development
mward@funandfunction.com
Malkie uses her clinical experience to guide the development of new products that are practical and fun for children of all ages and all abilities. She creates activity guides and sensory kits to make sensory regulation accessible and user-friendly for parents, therapists and children alike. She believes in empowering children by giving them the tools and strategies to identify and seek out their own sensory needs. Malkie received her degree from Kean University and is also a school-based clinician, specializing in the preschool-age population.