Behind the Scenes at Five Blocks: Donna
We’re continuing our series spotlighting the people behind Five Blocks—the team members whose work and expertise shape what we deliver to clients every day.
This time, we’re sitting down with Donna, a Senior Content Writer who has been with Five Blocks for 16 years. Donna works on our Wikipedia team, helping clients navigate one of the most visible—and carefully governed—platforms on the internet.
Before joining Five Blocks, Donna earned a BS in Microbiology from UC Berkeley and conducted cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. When she started raising her family, she stepped away from formal work but remained active through volunteer work and various writing projects.
Let’s get to know Donna.
What are your favorite work tools?
Since I still remember working without these tools, I know how helpful and time-saving the following are:
- Who Wrote That – indicates which editor wrote specific text, when they wrote it, and what percentage of the article they contributed. (Highly recommended!)
- Wikipedia Editor Activity Tracker – tells you when an editor made his/her last edit.
- Wikipedia UserTags – shows you how many edits an editor has made in the past week.
- WikiAlerts by Five Blocks – alerts you when an edit has been made to your Wikipedia page.
- Google Calendar – let’s me track team schedules. (So, I know where everyone is at all times. Maybe not so useful, but super fun!)
Which part of your job makes you feel like a superhero?
Making sure all the batteries are charged. Although I don’t do that anymore, sadly. The next best thing is when our clients make a direct edit with no mistakes and no pushback.
What is your favorite weekend ritual?
Going to visit my children and grandchildren on Fridays. Oh, and sleeping in!
What hobby or activity could you spend hours doing without realizing it?
Watching good movies.
If you could instantly master a new skill, what would it be?
Playing piano.
Pancakes or waffles? And what’s your favorite topping?
I don’t eat either, but I like chocolate sprinkles on ice cream and croutons in chicken soup.
What’s the weirdest or most random thing on your desk right now?
I have two lava lamps. Isn’t that cool?
What is your favorite snack:
Brownies, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate, 1.7% plain yogurt.
Favorite quote:
I have 3…
1. If you lived here, you’d be home by now.
2. Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.
3. Better to be quiet and let people think you are stupid than to open your mouth and prove it.
