Cleia's coffee journey began in Brazil in 2005, where she devoted her time to training baristas and supporting underprivileged youth. By 2007, she had joined the Associação de Cafés de Barista do Brasil (ACBB) and served as a championship judge until 2012. During this period, her dedication and passion for coffee led her to earn the prestigious Q-Grader certification, followed by the Q-Robusta Grader certification in 2017.

From 2017 to 2019, Cleia significantly contributed as a board member of the Specialty Coffee Association - UAE Chapter. In addition, she served as a Certified Judge for the World Coffee Events (WCE) for six years, sharing her expertise on the international stage and judging in various HORECA Barista Competitions across the Middle East.

Currently, Cleia leverages her extensive experience as a coffee consultant, specializing in roasting and quality control. She also shares her valuable insights with the industry as a contributing writer for Hospitality News ME and Taste & Flavor Magazines.