She received her Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from North Carolina State University and her master's degrees in mechanical engineering and M.B.A. from the University of Hartford. Prior to returning to pursue her Ph.D., she worked in the automotive industry as a Six Sigma black belt, senior manufacturing engineer and manufacturing manager. She was an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford, where she taught courses on Six Sigma. Cudney is a certified Six Sigma black belt and ASQ Certified Quality Engineer. Her research interests include quality, operations, supply chain management and lean manufacturing. She is a member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, American Society of Quality, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, American Planning and Inventory Control Society and Society of American Value Engineers.