Russwin Francisco was a college lecturer in business and information systems for 15 years and a university administrator for a decade. He served as chairman of the Registrars' Committee of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area where he developed and coordinated collaborative projects among 12 colleges and universities.

Francisco possesses a Ph.D. in Epistemological Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley. His thesis explored the intersectionality of depth psychology and spirituality. He received a Master of Science in Information Systems from Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from The George Washington University, Washington, DC.

Leaving academia to pursue public policy and legal research, Francisco co-founded a consultancy that provided intelligence for litigation in the public interest for all manner of consumer products. His research and analyses have been cited in Congressional hearings and transportation safety legislation.

Early on, he received a chef's certificate from the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, St. Helena, California. He worked as a salad chef at The Palm on Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles. He worked two summer stints as the sous chef at The Astral Plane in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

More recently, he operates a small business specializing in sexual wellness. He is a sex-affirmative speaker and blogger. His company is recognized for its active support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Francisco is a professional actor, singer, and producer. He was an accredited investor in the Broadway production of Here Lies Love. He produced and appeared as Manny in the musical film The Girl Who Left Home, which won Best Picture at the 2021 DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival. He performed singing and non-singing roles in Washington DC area community theaters and theater festivals for more than 30 years. He is an accomplished jazz vocalist. He co-owned Black Fox Lounge, a jazz venue which frequently received excellent industry reviews.