diff --git a/apps/server/execution/orchestrator.ts b/apps/server/execution/orchestrator.ts
index aefce3b..a08e2f1 100644
--- a/apps/server/execution/orchestrator.ts
+++ b/apps/server/execution/orchestrator.ts
@@ -66,6 +66,11 @@ export class ExecutionOrchestrator {
       });
     });
 
+    // Recover in-memory dispatch queues from DB state (survives server restarts)
+    this.recoverDispatchQueues().catch((err) => {
+      log.error({ err: err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err) }, 'dispatch queue recovery failed');
+    });
+
     log.info('execution orchestrator started');
   }
 
@@ -420,6 +425,52 @@ export class ExecutionOrchestrator {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Recover in-memory dispatch queues from DB state on server startup.
+   * Re-queues approved phases and pending tasks for in_progress phases.
+   */
+  private async recoverDispatchQueues(): Promise<void> {
+    const initiatives = await this.initiativeRepository.findByStatus('active');
+    let phasesRecovered = 0;
+    let tasksRecovered = 0;
+
+    for (const initiative of initiatives) {
+      const phases = await this.phaseRepository.findByInitiativeId(initiative.id);
+
+      for (const phase of phases) {
+        // Re-queue approved phases into the phase dispatch queue
+        if (phase.status === 'approved') {
+          try {
+            await this.phaseDispatchManager.queuePhase(phase.id);
+            phasesRecovered++;
+          } catch {
+            // Already queued or status changed
+          }
+        }
+
+        // Re-queue pending tasks for in_progress phases into the task dispatch queue
+        if (phase.status === 'in_progress') {
+          const tasks = await this.taskRepository.findByPhaseId(phase.id);
+          for (const task of tasks) {
+            if (task.status === 'pending') {
+              try {
+                await this.dispatchManager.queue(task.id);
+                tasksRecovered++;
+              } catch {
+                // Already queued or task issue
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (phasesRecovered > 0 || tasksRecovered > 0) {
+      log.info({ phasesRecovered, tasksRecovered }, 'recovered dispatch queues from DB state');
+      this.scheduleDispatch();
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Check if all phases for an initiative are completed.
    * If so, set initiative to pending_review and emit event.