The appointment of Marjorie Spitalnik and Tiffany Enciso Williams reflects a growing recognition across the toy and children’s products industry that global success requires local expertise. As brands expand across North America and beyond, understanding regional differences in parenting expectations, educational priorities, inclusion standards, and retail dynamics has become increasingly important. By adding specialists with deep experience in children’s brands, early childhood education, and inclusion, FUNdamentally Children is positioning itself to help companies navigate these complexities with greater authenticity and market relevance.
The move also highlights the increasing importance of developmental credibility and inclusive design in children’s products. Parents, educators, retailers, and regulators are placing greater scrutiny on the developmental value of toys, media, and play experiences. As a result, brands are seeking expert guidance not only on product safety and compliance, but also on how products support learning, emotional development, and accessibility. The expansion of FUNdamentally Children’s international expert network signals that independent evaluation, play-testing, and child development expertise are becoming more influential factors in product development and brand strategy across the global play industry.
Marjorie Spitalnik named Lead Associate, Children’s Brands for the Americas. Tiffany Enciso Williams named Lead Associate, Early Years and Inclusion, USA.
FUNdamentally Children, the international child development and play consultancy behind Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide, has announced two senior appointments to its expert network. Marjorie Spitalnik is appointed Lead Associate, Children’s Brands for the Americas, and Tiffany Enciso Williams as Lead Associate, Early Years, Play-testing and Inclusion, USA. Both appointments take effect immediately.
The appointments mark a significant step in FUNdamentally Children’s strategy to build a genuinely international expert network: specialists with deep regional roots who can bring credibility, cultural fluency and real-world sector knowledge to the organisation’s global work.
Marjorie Spitalnik: Lead Associate, Children’s Brands for the Americas
Marjorie Spitalnik is a specialist in the children’s brands landscape, with expertise spanning toys, media and consumer products. Coming from a successful career in PR, she brings established relationships with manufacturers, licensors and retailers across the region, as well as deep knowledge of the cultural, regulatory and market contexts that shape how brands reach and engage with families. Her multi-award winning brand Little Rebels has given Marjorie hands on experience of building a brand from concept to Walmart.com
In her role as Lead Associate, Children’s Brands for the Americas, Marjorie will support FUNdamentally Children’s thought leadership with an international perspective, and help connect the organisation with brand partners, trade bodies and sector networks across the Americas.
“Being a part of Fundamentally Children’s team brings me so much joy. I strongly believe in their mission and I am positive that kids all over the Americas will benefit from the knowledge and support we will bring to the table. This is an exciting moment for the industry, and personally, for myself.”
Marjorie Spitalnik, Lead Associate, Children’s Brands for the Americas, FUNdamentally Children
Tiffany Enciso Williams: Lead Associate, Early Years and Inclusion, USA
Tiffany Enciso Williams is an Early Childhood Special Education expert with specialist expertise in early years education and inclusion in the US context. With over 10 years working directly in early childhood classrooms, she brings classroom experience and a rich network of connections across schools, early years settings, curriculum networks and practitioner communities,
As Lead Associate, Early Years, Play-testing and Inclusion, USA, Tiffany will contribute specialist early years and inclusion expertise to Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide product and content evaluations, bring a US education perspective to FUNdamentally Children’s research and thought leadership, and represent the organisation in relevant US sector conversations.
“My background in education has taught me the power of play in child development, and the importance of a universal design for learning to make sure that every child is included and supported. Now, as the parent of a toddler, I’m consuming children’s media and products myself and experiencing firsthand what works and what doesn’t. This dual lens, professional expertise and parent experience, is what I bring to FUNdamentally Children’s work.”
Tiffany Enciso Williams, Lead Associate, Early Years, Play-testing and Inclusion, USA, FUNdamentally Children
Comment from Dr Amanda Gummer, Founder and Director, FUNdamentally Children
“Our work is only as strong as the team behind it. Marjorie and Tiffany bring genuine experience and expertise to FUNdamentally Children. Real relationships, real fluency, and a real commitment to what good looks like for children and it is exactly the kind of international depth we are building.”
Dr Amanda Gummer, Founder and Director, FUNdamentally Children
Working with Children’s Brands Across the Americas
Children’s brands, toy manufacturers, media companies and retailers operating in the US, Canada or Latin American market face a specific set of challenges: diverse regulatory environments, strong cultural variation in play and parenting norms, and a growing expectation that products will be both developmentally sound and genuinely inclusive.
FUNdamentally Children, with its international network of specialists is uniquely placed to support brands navigating these markets. Whether you are seeking independent product evaluation through Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide, developing content that resonates with families, looking for credible thought leadership to support your brand positioning, or seeking expert insight into child development, FUNdamentally Children can help.
To find out how FUNdamentally Children can support your brand, contact the team at theteam@fundamentallychildren.com or visit fundamentallychildren.com.
About FUNdamentally Children
FUNdamentally Children is an international child development and play consultancy founded by Dr Amanda Gummer. Based in the UK and working across global markets, the organisation advises children’s brands, toy manufacturers, media companies, retailers and policymakers on how to ensure that products and experiences are developmentally sound, safe and genuinely playful. FUNdamentally Children is the organisation behind Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide, an independent product evaluation and recommendation service trusted by parents and industry worldwide. Its growing international network of associates brings specialist expertise from key markets across North America, Latin America and beyond.
