The society is the world's leading organisation of horticultural professionals and its goal is to ''promote and encourage research and education in all branches of horticultural science and to facilitate co-operation and knowledge transfer on a global scale''.
''I was very excited as it is quite an honour,'' Ms Stanley said.
There were 46 countries voting on who would be elected to each of the six voluntary positions. Two ex-officio positions complete the ISHS Board.
Her term is for four years and she has been given the role of secretary as well as editor of the society's membership magazine, Chronica Horticulturae.
''I knew that I had been nominated and as it is quite competitive, you never knew how the voting was going to go.''
She was interested in areas such as advocacy of horticultural science and was hoping to do some work in that area, she said. She also wants the ISHS to engage more with young horticultural scientists to ensure the society is relevant to them and can deliver benefits that will help them with their careers.
The society's meeting was held before the start of the 29th International Horticultural Congress, which was held in Brisbane in August.
The congress attracted more than 3000 delegates from around the world and Ms Stanley was vice-president of the organising committee in charge of the scientific programme.
''I think what really struck me was the diversity of horticulture and horticultural research and the impact it was having on people in the world.
''It is quite amazing.''