Frances Burns graduated from Villanova University in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts.  Upon graduation, Fran was hired by Villanova as Intramural Director with an employ of eighty students and a program that delivered intramural sports to about 5,000 participants.  While working as Intramural Director, Fran attended graduate school at Villanova University. 

Seeking an opportunity in public service in 1998, Fran left Villanova to join the City of Philadelphia's Commerce Department to work as a representative of the Mayor's Business Action Team and in 1999 Fran achieved a graduate degree in public administration from Villanova University.   In early 2000, Fran was hired by the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) as Director of Capital Analysis and Operations.  In working with PICA, Fran gained some budgetary insight that led to the next venture and not long after in late 2001, Fran rejoined the City working as Assistant Budget Director.  In the summer of 2003, Fran moved just down the hall from the Budget Office to join the Managing Director's Office as Assistant Managing Director.

In Fran’s position as Assistant Managing Director, she worked closely with the Department of Licenses and Inspections, leading to the eventual hire in June 2004 as Deputy Commissioner for Administration.  She then became the Executive Director of Manayunk Development Corporation from October 2007 to August 2008.  On August 18, 2008 she joined the City of Philadelphia as Commissioner of the Department of Licenses & Inspections.